MEI
Methode Electronics, Inc.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$328M
5Y Perf.-70.5%
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Stock Comparison
MEI vs KLIC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KLIC
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$5.14B
5Y Perf.+339.0%
MEI vs KLIC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MEI | KLIC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $328M | $5.14B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $978M | $768M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-64M | $3M |
| Gross Margin | 15.3% | 48.0% |
| Operating Margin | -2.6% | 6.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 37.4x |
| Total Debt | $343M | $39M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $104M | $216M |
MEI vs KLIC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MEI
KLIC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methode Electronics… (MEI) | 100 | 29.5 | -70.5% |
| Kulicke and Soffa I… (KLIC) | 100 | 439.0 | +339.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MEI vs KLIC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KLIC leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Methode Electronics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MEI
Methode Electronics, Inc.
The Growth Play
MEI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth -6.0%, EPS growth 49.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -3.4%
- -6.0% revenue growth vs KLIC's -7.4%
- 6.2% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs KLIC's 1.0%
Best for: growth exposure
KLIC
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
KLIC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.87, yield 1.0%
- 8.1% 10Y total return vs MEI's -52.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.87, Low D/E 4.7%, current ratio 4.79x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MEI | -6.0% revenue growth vs KLIC's -7.4% |
| Quality / Margins | KLIC | 0.4% margin vs MEI's -6.6% |
| Stability / Safety | KLIC | Beta 1.87 vs MEI's 2.14, lower leverage |
| Dividends | MEI | 6.2% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs KLIC's 1.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | KLIC | +220.8% vs MEI's +43.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KLIC | 0.3% ROA vs MEI's -5.6%, ROIC -0.3% vs -1.9% |
MEI vs KLIC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
MEI vs KLIC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKLICLAGGINGMEI
MEIMethode Electronics, …
1leads
KLICKulicke and Soffa Ind…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MEIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KLIC4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MEI4/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KLIC9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KLIC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
KLIC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KLIC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MEI and KLIC operate at a comparable scale, with $978M and $768M in trailing revenue. KLIC is the more profitable business, keeping 0.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MEI's -6.6%. On growth, KLIC holds the edge at +49.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $978M | $768M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$10M | $61M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$64M | $3M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $43M | $11M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +15.3% | +48.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +6.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -6.6% | +0.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.4% | +1.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.6% | +49.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.4% | +141.5% |
KLIC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MEI leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, MEI's 16.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KLIC's 336.2x.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $328M | $5.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $567M | $5.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.26x | 9999.00x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 37.41x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.39x | 336.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.31x | 7.85x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.47x | 6.36x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 53.30x |
MEI leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KLIC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KLIC delivers a 0.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $0 in annual profit, vs $-9 for MEI. KLIC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MEI's 0.50x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KLIC scores 7/9 vs MEI's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -9.4% | +0.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -5.6% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.9% | -0.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -2.1% | -0.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.50x | 0.05x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $240M | -$177M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $104M | $216M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $343M | $39M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.63x | 4872.17x |
KLIC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KLIC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KLIC five years ago would be worth $20,103 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,474 for MEI. Over the past 12 months, KLIC leads with a +220.8% total return vs MEI's +43.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KLIC at 29.1% vs MEI's -36.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +39.6% | +103.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +43.7% | +220.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -74.0% | +115.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -75.3% | +101.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -52.9% | +814.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -36.2% | +29.1% |
KLIC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KLIC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KLIC is the less volatile stock with a 1.87 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MEI's 2.14 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KLIC currently trades 91.7% from its 52-week high vs MEI's 85.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.14x | 1.87x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $10.78 | $107.01 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.88 | $29.91 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.8% | +91.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 73.9 | 77.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 494K | 617K |
KLIC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MEI and KLIC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MEI as "Hold" and KLIC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -8.1% upside for MEI (target: $9) vs -36.3% for KLIC (target: $63). For income investors, MEI offers the higher dividend yield at 6.21% vs KLIC's 1.04%.
| Metric | MEIMethode Electroni… | KLICKulicke and Soffa… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $8.50 | $62.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +6.2% | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.57 | $1.02 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | +1.9% |
Evenly matched — MEI and KLIC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KLIC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MEI leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallKulicke and Soffa Industrie… (KLIC)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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MEI vs KLIC: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MEI or KLIC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Methode Electronics, Inc.
(MEI) is the stronger pick with -6. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 4% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC). Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) offers the better valuation at 9999. 0x trailing P/E (37. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) a "Buy" — based on 11 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.
02Which is the better long-term investment — MEI or KLIC?
Over the past 5 years, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
(KLIC) delivered a total return of +101. 0%, compared to -75. 3% for Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KLIC returned +814. 1% versus MEI's -52. 9%. 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 — MEI or KLIC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
(KLIC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 87β versus Methode Electronics, Inc. 's 2. 14β — meaning MEI is approximately 14% more volatile than KLIC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 50% for Methode Electronics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — MEI or KLIC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Methode Electronics, Inc.
(MEI) is pulling ahead at -6. 0% versus -7. 4% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. grew EPS 100. 3% year-over-year, compared to 49. 4% for Methode Electronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MEI leads at -3. 4% 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 — MEI or KLIC?
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
(KLIC) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -6. 0% for Methode Electronics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KLIC leads at -0. 5% versus -2. 3% for MEI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KLIC leads at 42. 5%, 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.
06Is MEI or KLIC more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MEI: -8.
1% to $8. 50.
07Which pays a better dividend — MEI or KLIC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI) offers the highest yield at 6. 2%, versus 1. 0% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC).
08Is MEI or KLIC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
(KLIC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 0% yield, +814. 1% 10Y return). Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI) carries a higher beta of 2. 14 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (KLIC: +814. 1%, MEI: -52. 9%), 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.
09What are the main differences between MEI and KLIC?
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: MEI is a small-cap income-oriented stock; KLIC is a small-cap quality compounder 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.
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