KE vs BHE vs PLXS

For growth investors, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the stronger pick with 1. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 3% for Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE). Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE) offers the better valuation at 38. 2x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE) a "Buy" — based on 5 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. 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.

On trailing P/E, Kimball Electronics, Inc.

(KE) is the cheapest at 38. 2x versus Benchmark Electronics, Inc. at 123. 3x. On forward P/E, Kimball Electronics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Benchmark Electronics, Inc. wins at 2. 46x versus Plexus Corp. 's 3. 47x.

Over the past 5 years, Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

(BHE) delivered a total return of +182. 9%, compared to +15. 6% for Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PLXS returned +515. 8% versus KE's +134. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 65β versus Kimball Electronics, Inc. 's 1. 83β — meaning KE is approximately 10% more volatile than PLXS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Plexus Corp. (PLXS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 12% versus 37% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is pulling ahead at 1. 8% versus -13. 3% for Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Plexus Corp. grew EPS 56. 1% year-over-year, compared to -60. 5% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KE leads at 3. 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.

Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 3% net margin versus 0. 9% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PLXS leads at 5. 0% versus 3. 1% for KE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PLXS leads at 10. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 46x versus Plexus Corp. 's 3. 47x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE) trades at 18. 8x forward P/E versus 33. 8x for Plexus Corp. — 15. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KE: 23. 3% to $32. 00.

In this comparison, BHE (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. KE, PLXS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

(BHE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 8% yield, +352. 7% 10Y return). Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE) carries a higher beta of 1. 83 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (BHE: +352. 7%, KE: +134. 4%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (KE (Industrials) and BHE (Technology) and PLXS (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

BHE pays a dividend while KE, PLXS do 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.