MEI vs PLXS

For growth investors, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the stronger pick with 1. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 0% for Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI). Plexus Corp. (PLXS) offers the better valuation at 41. 6x trailing P/E (33. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Plexus Corp. (PLXS) a "Buy" — based on 18 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.

Over the past 5 years, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) delivered a total return of +174. 0%, compared to -75. 3% for Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PLXS returned +515. 8% 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.

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

(PLXS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 65β versus Methode Electronics, Inc. 's 2. 14β — meaning MEI is approximately 30% 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 50% for Methode 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 -6. 0% for Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Plexus Corp. grew EPS 56. 1% year-over-year, compared to 49. 4% for Methode Electronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PLXS leads at 1. 9% 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 -6. 0% for Methode 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 -2. 3% for MEI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MEI leads at 15. 6%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PLXS: -3.

6% to $251. 25.

In this comparison, MEI (6.

2% yield) pays a dividend. PLXS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+515. 8% 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 (PLXS: +515. 8%, 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.

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; PLXS is a small-cap quality compounder stock. MEI pays a dividend while PLXS 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.