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MSI vs NVDA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Semiconductors
MSI vs NVDA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $71.86B | $5.05T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $11.68B | $215.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.15B | $120.07B |
| Gross Margin | 51.2% | 71.1% |
| Operating Margin | 25.2% | 60.4% |
| Forward P/E | 25.8x | 25.1x |
| Total Debt | $10.10B | $11.41B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.17B | $10.61B |
MSI vs NVDA — 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% |
| NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) | 100 | 2338.6 | +2238.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MSI vs NVDA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MSI is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 0.21, yield 1.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.21, current ratio 1.04x
- Beta 0.21, yield 1.0%, current ratio 1.04x
NVDA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 65.5%, EPS growth 66.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 100.0%
- 234.3% 10Y total return vs MSI's 5.6%
- PEG 0.26 vs MSI's 1.39
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 65.5% revenue growth vs MSI's 8.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (25.1x vs 25.8x), PEG 0.26 vs 1.39 | |
| Quality / Margins | 55.6% margin vs MSI's 18.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.21 vs NVDA's 1.73 | |
| Dividends | 1.0% yield, 14-year raise streak, vs NVDA's 0.0% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +82.9% vs MSI's +6.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 58.1% ROA vs MSI's 11.1%, ROIC 81.8% vs 25.2% |
MSI vs NVDA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MSI vs NVDA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVDA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVDA is the larger business by revenue, generating $215.9B annually — 18.5x MSI's $11.7B. NVDA is the more profitable business, keeping 55.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MSI's 18.4%. On growth, NVDA holds the edge at +73.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $11.7B | $215.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.4B | $133.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.2B | $120.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.6B | $96.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +51.2% | +71.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +25.2% | +60.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.4% | +55.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.0% | +44.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.3% | +73.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.4% | +97.8% |
Valuation Metrics
MSI leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 34.0x trailing earnings, MSI trades at a 20% valuation discount to NVDA's 42.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NVDA offers better value at 0.44x vs MSI's 1.84x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $71.9B | $5.05T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $80.8B | $5.05T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 34.01x | 42.38x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.84x | 25.09x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.84x | 0.44x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 23.95x | 37.89x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.15x | 23.37x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 30.20x | 32.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.94x | 52.21x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NVDA leads this category, winning 6 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 $76 for NVDA. NVDA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x 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 NVDA's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +88.8% | +76.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.1% | +58.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +25.2% | +81.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +25.8% | +97.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.16x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.5B | $807M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.2B | $10.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $10.1B | $11.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 9.76x | 545.03x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NVDA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NVDA five years ago would be worth $143,108 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $24,063 for MSI. Over the past 12 months, NVDA leads with a +82.9% total return vs MSI's +6.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NVDA at 92.4% vs MSI's 16.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +14.1% | +10.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +6.2% | +82.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.6% | +612.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +140.6% | +1331.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +557.1% | +23433.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.1% | +92.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MSI and NVDA 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 NVDA's 1.73 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NVDA currently trades 95.8% 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 | 1.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $492.22 | $216.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $361.32 | $110.82 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.1% | +95.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.3 | 50.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 877K | 166.2M |
Analyst Outlook
MSI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MSI as "Buy" and NVDA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 34.3% upside for NVDA (target: $279) vs 11.0% for MSI (target: $481). 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 | $278.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 79 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.0% | +0.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 14 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.31 | $0.04 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.6% | +0.8% |
NVDA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MSI leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
MSI vs NVDA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MSI or NVDA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the stronger pick with 65.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 0% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI). 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 NVDA?
On trailing P/E, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the cheapest at 34. 0x versus NVIDIA Corporation at 42. 4x. On forward P/E, NVIDIA Corporation is actually cheaper at 25. 1x — 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: NVIDIA Corporation wins at 0. 26x 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 NVDA?
Over the past 5 years, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) delivered a total return of +1331%, compared to +140.
6% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVDA returned +234. 3% versus MSI's +557. 1%. 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 NVDA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 21β versus NVIDIA Corporation's 1. 73β — meaning NVDA is approximately 741% more volatile than MSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 4% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MSI or NVDA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is pulling ahead at 65.
5% versus 8. 0% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NVIDIA Corporation grew EPS 66. 7% year-over-year, compared to 38. 1% for Motorola Solutions, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NVDA leads at 100. 0% 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 NVDA?
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the more profitable company, earning 55.
6% net margin versus 18. 4% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — meaning it keeps 55. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVDA leads at 60. 4% versus 25. 2% for MSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVDA leads at 71. 1%, 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 NVDA 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, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 26x 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, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) trades at 25. 1x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NVDA: 34. 3% to $278. 83.
08Which pays a better dividend — MSI or NVDA?
In this comparison, MSI (1.
0% yield) pays a dividend. NVDA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is MSI or NVDA 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). NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) carries a higher beta of 1. 73 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSI: +557. 1%, NVDA: +234. 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.
10What are the main differences between MSI and NVDA?
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: MSI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NVDA is a mega-cap high-growth stock. MSI pays a dividend while NVDA 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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