MSI vs TRMB

For growth investors, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the stronger pick with 8. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 6% for Trimble Inc. (TRMB). 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 Trimble Inc. at 35. 3x. On forward P/E, Trimble Inc. is actually cheaper at 20. 0x — 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: Motorola Solutions, Inc. wins at 1. 39x versus Trimble Inc. 's 8. 15x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) delivered a total return of +127. 3%, compared to -22. 0% for Trimble Inc. (TRMB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSI returned +554. 6% versus TRMB's +166. 8%. 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 Trimble Inc. 's 1. 46β — meaning TRMB is approximately 614% more volatile than MSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Trimble Inc. (TRMB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 24% 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. 6% for Trimble Inc. (TRMB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Motorola Solutions, Inc. grew EPS 38. 2% year-over-year, compared to -71. 3% for Trimble 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.

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

(MSI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 4% net margin versus 11. 8% for Trimble Inc. — 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 16. 9% for TRMB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TRMB leads at 68. 3%, 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, Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 39x versus Trimble Inc. 's 8. 15x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Trimble Inc. (TRMB) trades at 20. 0x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — 5. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TRMB: 53. 6% to $95. 00.

In this comparison, MSI (1.

0% yield) pays a dividend. TRMB does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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%, TRMB: +166. 8%), 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.

MSI pays a dividend while TRMB 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.