MSI vs JCI

For growth investors, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the stronger pick with 8. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 8% for Johnson Controls International plc (JCI). Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) offers the better valuation at 34. 0x trailing P/E (25. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) a "Buy" — based on 33 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, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the cheapest at 34. 0x versus Johnson Controls International plc at 52. 9x. On forward P/E, Motorola Solutions, Inc. is actually cheaper at 25. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Johnson Controls International plc wins at 1. 15x versus Motorola Solutions, Inc. 's 1. 39x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) delivered a total return of +127. 3%, compared to +122. 9% for Johnson Controls International plc (JCI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSI returned +554. 6% versus JCI's +343. 3%. 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), Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 21β versus Johnson Controls International plc's 0. 97β — meaning JCI is approximately 375% more volatile than MSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 86% versus 4% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is pulling ahead at 8. 0% versus 2. 8% for Johnson Controls International plc (JCI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Motorola Solutions, Inc. grew EPS 38. 2% year-over-year, compared to 4. 4% for Johnson Controls International plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, MSI leads at 8. 6% 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.

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 4% net margin versus 13. 9% for Johnson Controls International plc — meaning it keeps 18. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSI leads at 25. 1% versus 12. 0% for JCI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSI leads at 50. 2%, 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, Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 15x versus Motorola Solutions, Inc. 's 1. 39x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) trades at 25. 8x forward P/E versus 29. 4x for Johnson Controls International plc — 3. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MSI: 11. 0% to $481. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 1. 0% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 21), 1. 0% yield, +554. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSI: +554. 6%, JCI: +343. 3%), 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 (MSI (Technology) and JCI (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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.