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FKWL vs SMSI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Application
FKWL vs SMSI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Software - Application |
| Market Cap | $41M | $17M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $40M | $17M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $187K | $-28M |
| Gross Margin | 19.0% | 75.5% |
| Operating Margin | -6.7% | -154.8% |
| Total Debt | $1M | $2M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $15M | $1M |
FKWL vs SMSI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Wireless C… (FKWL) | 100 | 60.7 | -39.3% |
| Smith Micro Softwar… (SMSI) | 100 | 2.5 | -97.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FKWL vs SMSI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
FKWL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.01
- Rev growth 49.6%, EPS growth 93.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 24.3%
- 38.9% 10Y total return vs SMSI's -96.5%
SMSI is the clearest fit if your priority is dividends and momentum.
- 4.4% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
- -19.8% vs FKWL's -24.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 49.6% revenue growth vs SMSI's -15.5% | |
| Quality / Margins | 0.5% margin vs SMSI's -165.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.01 vs SMSI's 1.48, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 4.4% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -19.8% vs FKWL's -24.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 0.4% ROA vs SMSI's -104.4%, ROIC -8.6% vs -48.3% |
FKWL vs SMSI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FKWL vs SMSI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FKWL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FKWL is the larger business by revenue, generating $40M annually — 2.3x SMSI's $17M. FKWL is the more profitable business, keeping 0.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SMSI's -165.4%. On growth, SMSI holds the edge at -8.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $40M | $17M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$2M | -$21M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $187,072 | -$28M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$9M | -$10M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.0% | +75.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -6.7% | -154.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | -165.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -23.9% | -61.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -33.1% | -8.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +134.2% | +64.3% |
Valuation Metrics
FKWL leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $41M | $17M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $27M | $18M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -167.96x | -0.58x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.88x | 1.00x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.08x | 0.94x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 22.51x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
FKWL leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FKWL delivers a 0.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $0 in annual profit, vs $-142 for SMSI. FKWL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SMSI's 0.13x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FKWL scores 7/9 vs SMSI's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.5% | -141.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.4% | -104.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -8.6% | -48.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -7.5% | -62.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 0.13x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$13M | $844,000 |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $15M | $1M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1M | $2M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -7.39x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FKWL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FKWL five years ago would be worth $2,954 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $207 for SMSI. Over the past 12 months, SMSI leads with a -19.8% total return vs FKWL's -24.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FKWL at -1.4% vs SMSI's -56.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -19.9% | +53.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -24.2% | -19.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -4.1% | -91.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -70.5% | -97.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +38.9% | -96.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -1.4% | -56.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — FKWL and SMSI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FKWL is the less volatile stock with a 0.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SMSI's 1.48 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.01x | 1.48x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $5.48 | $1.30 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.44 | $0.43 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +63.1% | +64.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 38.4 | 66.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 7K | 310K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
SMSI is the only dividend payer here at 4.43% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +4.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.04 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.0% | 0.0% |
FKWL leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
FKWL vs SMSI: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FKWL or SMSI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) is the stronger pick with 49. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -15. 5% for Smith Micro Software, Inc. (SMSI). The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — FKWL or SMSI?
Over the past 5 years, Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) delivered a total return of -70. 5%, compared to -97. 9% for Smith Micro Software, Inc. (SMSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FKWL returned +38. 9% versus SMSI's -96. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — FKWL or SMSI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 01β versus Smith Micro Software, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SMSI is approximately 17130% more volatile than FKWL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Franklin Wireless Corp. (FKWL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 13% for Smith Micro Software, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — FKWL or SMSI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) is pulling ahead at 49. 6% versus -15. 5% for Smith Micro Software, Inc. (SMSI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Franklin Wireless Corp. grew EPS 93. 9% year-over-year, compared to 62. 9% for Smith Micro Software, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FKWL leads at 24. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — FKWL or SMSI?
Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) is the more profitable company, earning -0. 5% net margin versus -173. 3% for Smith Micro Software, Inc. — meaning it keeps -0. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FKWL leads at -6. 2% versus -110. 8% for SMSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMSI leads at 74. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — FKWL or SMSI?
In this comparison, SMSI (4.
4% yield) pays a dividend. FKWL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is FKWL or SMSI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Franklin Wireless Corp.
(FKWL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 01)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FKWL: +38. 9%, SMSI: -96. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between FKWL and SMSI?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: FKWL is a small-cap high-growth stock; SMSI is a small-cap income-oriented stock. SMSI pays a dividend while FKWL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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