Communication Equipment
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MSI vs DGII
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Communication Equipment
MSI vs DGII — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Communication Equipment |
| Market Cap | $71.86B | $2.21B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $11.68B | $475M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.15B | $43M |
| Gross Margin | 51.2% | 63.4% |
| Operating Margin | 25.2% | 13.2% |
| Forward P/E | 25.8x | 25.5x |
| Total Debt | $10.10B | $180M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.17B | $22M |
MSI vs DGII — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Solutions,… (MSI) | 100 | 320.4 | +220.4% |
| Digi International … (DGII) | 100 | 528.8 | +428.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MSI vs DGII
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MSI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 0.21, yield 1.0%
- Rev growth 8.0%, EPS growth 38.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.6%
- 5.6% 10Y total return vs DGII's 444.4%
DGII is the clearest fit if your priority is valuation efficiency.
- PEG 0.82 vs MSI's 1.39
- Lower P/E (25.5x vs 25.8x), PEG 0.82 vs 1.39
- +110.3% vs MSI's +6.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 8.0% revenue growth vs DGII's 1.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (25.5x vs 25.8x), PEG 0.82 vs 1.39 | |
| Quality / Margins | 18.4% margin vs DGII's 9.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.21 vs DGII's 1.40 | |
| Dividends | 1.0% yield; 14-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +110.3% vs MSI's +6.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.1% ROA vs DGII's 4.8%, ROIC 25.2% vs 5.7% |
MSI vs DGII — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MSI vs DGII — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — MSI and DGII each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSI is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.7B annually — 24.6x DGII's $475M. MSI is the more profitable business, keeping 18.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to DGII's 9.1%. On growth, DGII holds the edge at +25.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $11.7B | $475M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.4B | $90M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.2B | $43M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.6B | $130M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +51.2% | +63.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +25.2% | +13.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.4% | +9.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.0% | +27.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.3% | +25.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.4% | +3.6% |
Valuation Metrics
DGII leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 34.0x trailing earnings, MSI trades at a 38% valuation discount to DGII's 54.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), DGII offers better value at 1.76x vs MSI's 1.84x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $71.9B | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $80.8B | $2.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 34.01x | 54.49x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.84x | 25.48x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.84x | 1.76x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 23.95x | 26.27x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.15x | 5.14x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 30.20x | 3.49x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.94x | 21.01x |
Profitability & Efficiency
MSI leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MSI delivers a 88.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $89 in annual profit, vs $7 for DGII. DGII carries lower financial leverage with a 0.28x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MSI's 4.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MSI scores 6/9 vs DGII's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +88.8% | +6.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.1% | +4.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +25.2% | +5.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +25.8% | +7.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.16x | 0.28x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.5B | $158M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.2B | $22M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $10.1B | $180M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 9.76x | 15.77x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
DGII leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DGII five years ago would be worth $33,609 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $24,063 for MSI. Over the past 12 months, DGII leads with a +110.3% total return vs MSI's +6.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DGII at 23.5% vs MSI's 16.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +14.1% | +36.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +6.2% | +110.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.6% | +88.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +140.6% | +236.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +557.1% | +444.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.1% | +23.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MSI and DGII each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MSI is the less volatile stock with a 0.21 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DGII's 1.40 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DGII currently trades 99.1% from its 52-week high vs MSI's 88.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.21x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $492.22 | $59.40 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $361.32 | $27.55 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.1% | +99.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.3 | 68.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 877K | 260K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MSI as "Buy" and DGII as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 11.0% upside for MSI (target: $481) vs -14.5% for DGII (target: $50). MSI is the only dividend payer here at 0.99% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $481.25 | $50.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.0% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 14 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.31 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.6% | 0.0% |
DGII leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). MSI leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
MSI vs DGII: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MSI or DGII a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the stronger pick with 8. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 5% for Digi International Inc. (DGII). 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.
02Which has the better valuation — MSI or DGII?
On trailing P/E, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the cheapest at 34. 0x versus Digi International Inc. at 54. 5x. On forward P/E, Digi International Inc. is actually cheaper at 25. 5x — 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: Digi International Inc. wins at 0. 82x versus Motorola Solutions, Inc. 's 1. 39x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MSI or DGII?
Over the past 5 years, Digi International Inc.
(DGII) delivered a total return of +236. 1%, compared to +140. 6% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSI returned +557. 1% versus DGII's +444. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — MSI or DGII?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 21β versus Digi International Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning DGII is approximately 580% more volatile than MSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Digi International Inc. (DGII) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 28% versus 4% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MSI or DGII?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is pulling ahead at 8. 0% versus 1. 5% for Digi International Inc. (DGII). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Digi International Inc. grew EPS 77. 0% year-over-year, compared to 38. 1% for Motorola Solutions, Inc.. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MSI or DGII?
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 4% net margin versus 9. 5% for Digi International Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSI leads at 25. 2% versus 13. 1% for DGII. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DGII leads at 62. 9%, 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.
07Is MSI or DGII more undervalued right now?
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, Digi International Inc. (DGII) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 82x versus Motorola Solutions, Inc. 's 1. 39x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Digi International Inc. (DGII) trades at 25. 5x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — 0. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MSI: 11. 0% to $481. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — MSI or DGII?
In this comparison, MSI (1.
0% yield) pays a dividend. DGII does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is MSI or DGII better for a retirement portfolio?
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, +557. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSI: +557. 1%, DGII: +444. 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.
10What are the main differences between MSI and DGII?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
MSI pays a dividend while DGII 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.
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