MSI vs. TEL: Motorola vs. TE Connectivity Stock Comparison
How do Motorola (MSI) and TE Connectivity (TEL) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Motorola (MSI) and TE Connectivity (TEL) both fall under the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group, but MSI is classified in Communications Equipment while TEL is classified in Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components.
| Profile Item | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | TE Connectivity plc |
| Country/Region | United States | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Technology Hardware & Equipment | Technology Hardware & Equipment |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Communications Equipment | Electronic Manufacturing Services |
| Market Capitalization | 85.07 billion USD | 59.52 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 14, 2007 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 35.63% | -8.84% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 20.55% | 22.58% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 17.37% | 7.96% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 25.11% | 36.95% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.84 | 1.14 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -27.23% | -34.26% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 973.41K | 1.95M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.25 | -0.36 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.90 | -0.47 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Motorola (MSI) at 76.98% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; TE Connectivity (TEL) at 24.61% also sits in the top quartile.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
76.98%
- MSI
- 76.98%
- Max
- 42.47%
- Q3
- 19.13%
- Median
- 11.00%
- Q1
- 1.63%
- Min
- -20.62%
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
24.61%
- Max
- 42.47%
- TEL
- 24.61%
- Q3
- 19.13%
- Median
- 11.00%
- Q1
- 1.63%
- Min
- -20.62%
Net Margin (TTM)
For every dollar of sales, both Motorola (MSI) at 16.54% and TE Connectivity (TEL) at 16.36% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
16.54%
- Max
- 27.60%
- MSI
- 16.54%
- Q3
- 11.66%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -11.02%
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
16.36%
- Max
- 27.60%
- TEL
- 16.36%
- Q3
- 11.66%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -11.02%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Motorola (MSI) at 24.62% and TE Connectivity (TEL) at 21.07% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
24.62%
- Max
- 36.27%
- MSI
- 24.62%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 8.84%
- Q1
- 1.46%
- Min
- -21.39%
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
21.07%
- Max
- 36.27%
- TEL
- 21.07%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 8.84%
- Q1
- 1.46%
- Min
- -21.39%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 76.98% | 24.61% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.64% | 10.00% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 16.54% | 16.36% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 24.62% | 21.07% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 51.75% | 36.24% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Motorola (MSI) at 8.00% and TE Connectivity (TEL) at 8.94% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Motorola (MSI) at 38.14% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while TE Connectivity (TEL) at -40.37% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 8.00% | 8.94% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 8.63% | 1.97% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 38.14% | -40.37% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 17.15% | -6.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
TE Connectivity (TEL) at 1.73 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Motorola (MSI) at 1.10 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for MSI.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.10
- Max
- 5.34
- Q3
- 3.02
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.32
- MSI
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.17
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.73
- Max
- 5.34
- Q3
- 3.02
- Median
- 1.95
- TEL
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.17
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
TE Connectivity (TEL) at 0.41 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Motorola (MSI) at 3.46 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
3.46
- MSI
- 3.46
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 0.78
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.01
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.41
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 0.78
- TEL
- 0.41
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.01
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 1.73 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 3.46 | 0.41 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.70 | 0.76 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Motorola (MSI) at 0.94% and TE Connectivity (TEL) at 1.44% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.94%
- MSI
- 0.94%
- Max
- 0.73%
- Q3
- 0.31%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.44%
- TEL
- 1.44%
- Max
- 0.73%
- Q3
- 0.31%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both pay out more than their industries’ typical bands, and MSI more so: TE Connectivity (TEL) at 28.50% sits above the band, while Motorola (MSI) at 38.94% exceeds every peer in its group.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
38.94%
- MSI
- 38.94%
- Max
- 32.27%
- Q3
- 14.48%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
28.50%
- Max
- 32.27%
- TEL
- 28.50%
- Q3
- 14.48%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.94% | 1.44% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 38.94% | 28.50% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
TE Connectivity (TEL) at 18.70 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Motorola (MSI) at 41.39 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
41.39
- Max
- 69.48
- MSI
- 41.39
- Q3
- 41.02
- Median
- 26.39
- Q1
- 19.36
- Min
- 6.07
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
18.70
- Max
- 69.48
- Q3
- 41.02
- Median
- 26.39
- Q1
- 19.36
- TEL
- 18.70
- Min
- 6.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
TE Connectivity (TEL) at 2.99 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Motorola (MSI) at 6.75 sits in the pricier quartile — MSI costs more per dollar of sales.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
6.75
- Max
- 11.30
- MSI
- 6.75
- Q3
- 5.82
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.00
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
2.99
- Max
- 11.30
- Q3
- 5.82
- TEL
- 2.99
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
TE Connectivity (TEL) at 4.38 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Motorola (MSI) at 27.75 prices above its benchmark range — MSI looks rich relative to book.
MSI
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
27.75
- MSI
- 27.75
- Max
- 10.75
- Q3
- 5.52
- Median
- 3.17
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.33
TEL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
4.38
- Max
- 10.75
- Q3
- 5.52
- TEL
- 4.38
- Median
- 3.17
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.33
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MSI | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 41.39 | 18.70 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 6.75 | 2.99 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 27.75 | 4.38 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.24% | 4.09% |