MGA vs LEA

For growth investors, Lear Corporation (LEA) is the stronger pick with -0.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 2% for Magna International Inc. (MGA). Lear Corporation (LEA) offers the better valuation at 16. 9x trailing P/E (9. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Magna International Inc. (MGA) a "Buy" — based on 30 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, Lear Corporation (LEA) is the cheapest at 16.

9x versus Magna International Inc. at 21. 0x. On forward P/E, Magna International Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Lear Corporation wins at 0. 37x versus Magna International Inc. 's 2. 66x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Lear Corporation (LEA) delivered a total return of -20.

8%, compared to -25. 1% for Magna International Inc. (MGA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MGA returned +91. 9% versus LEA's +41. 0%. 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), Magna International Inc.

(MGA) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 08β versus Lear Corporation's 1. 14β — meaning LEA is approximately 5% more volatile than MGA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Magna International Inc. (MGA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 65% versus 79% for Lear Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Lear Corporation (LEA) is pulling ahead at -0.

2% versus -0. 2% for Magna International Inc. (MGA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Lear Corporation grew EPS -9. 1% year-over-year, compared to -15. 1% for Magna International Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MGA leads at 4. 1% 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.

Magna International Inc.

(MGA) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus 1. 9% for Lear Corporation — meaning it keeps 2. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MGA leads at 5. 0% versus 4. 4% for LEA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MGA leads at 10. 3%, 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, Lear Corporation (LEA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 37x versus Magna International Inc. 's 2. 66x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Magna International Inc. (MGA) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 9. 5x for Lear Corporation — 0. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MGA: 4. 6% to $65. 60.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Magna International Inc. (MGA) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 2. 2% for Lear Corporation (LEA).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Magna International Inc.

(MGA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 08), 3. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MGA: +91. 9%, LEA: +41. 0%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: MGA is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; LEA is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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.