MSI vs. STM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MSI and STM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
MSI is a standard domestic stock, while STM trades as New York Registered Shares, providing U.S. investors with a way to invest in the foreign-based company.
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | STMicroelectronics N.V. |
| Country | United States | Netherlands |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 76.99 billion USD | 23.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | December 8, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | NY Reg Shrs |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MSI and STM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.11% | 0.61% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.66% | -2.68% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.84% | -4.31% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.40% | -20.58% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.27% | -0.58% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.02% | -8.03% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.18M | 1.85M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.93M | 2.60M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 14.67% | 50.73% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MSI
127.51%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 32.05%
- Q3
- 19.58%
- Median
- 11.77%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- -11.93%
MSI’s Return on Equity of 127.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
STM
10.96%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.74%
- Q3
- 23.49%
- Median
- 11.60%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -20.69%
STM’s Return on Equity of 10.96% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MSI
19.08%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 14.32%
- Median
- 5.31%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- -12.72%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.08% places MSI in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
STM
6.92%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.17%
- Q3
- 22.38%
- Median
- 11.95%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -25.16%
STM’s Net Profit Margin of 6.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MSI
25.23%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 18.90%
- Median
- 6.21%
- Q1
- 2.97%
- Min
- -20.72%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.23% places MSI in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
STM
5.20%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 27.84%
- Median
- 12.45%
- Q1
- 5.15%
- Min
- -28.61%
STM’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.20% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 127.51% | 10.96% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.27% | 7.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.08% | 6.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.23% | 5.20% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 51.34% | 34.89% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MSI
1.73
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.93
MSI’s Current Ratio of 1.73 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
STM
2.60
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.42
- Q3
- 4.70
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.04
STM’s Current Ratio of 2.60 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MSI
3.93
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.93, MSI operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Communications Equipment industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
STM
0.17
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.22
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
STM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.17 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MSI
8.92
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 181.73
- Q3
- 113.63
- Median
- 7.59
- Q1
- 3.82
- Min
- -5.39
MSI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
STM
5.37
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.10
- Median
- 27.22
- Q1
- 7.28
- Min
- -4.26
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.73 | 2.60 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 1.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.93 | 0.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.92 | 5.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MSI
0.90%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 2.75%
- Median
- 0.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSI’s Dividend Yield of 0.90% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
STM
1.23%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.16%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STM’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MSI
32.70%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 55.91%
- Median
- 28.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.70% is within the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
STM
14.49%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 196.12%
- Q3
- 87.72%
- Median
- 26.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.49% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.90% | 1.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.70% | 14.49% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MSI
36.30
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 57.30
- Q3
- 47.92
- Median
- 27.50
- Q1
- 17.89
- Min
- 13.89
MSI’s P/E Ratio of 36.30 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
STM
28.46
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 109.37
- Q3
- 57.11
- Median
- 28.95
- Q1
- 22.13
- Min
- 11.14
STM’s P/E Ratio of 28.46 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MSI
6.93
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.03
- Q3
- 5.53
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.40
MSI’s P/S Ratio of 6.93 is in the upper echelon for the Communications Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
STM
1.97
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.09
- Q3
- 10.10
- Median
- 4.82
- Q1
- 2.60
- Min
- 0.93
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s P/S Ratio of 1.97 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MSI
35.66
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.60
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 2.67
- Min
- 0.30
At 35.66, MSI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Communications Equipment industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
STM
1.40
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 13.56
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 3.68
- Q1
- 1.89
- Min
- 0.60
STM’s P/B Ratio of 1.40 is in the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MSI | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.30 | 28.46 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.93 | 1.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 35.66 | 1.40 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.22 | 259.32 |