RELL
Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$189M
5Y Perf.+266.2%
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Stock Comparison
RELL vs ARW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ARW
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
Technology Distributors
Market Cap$9.96B
5Y Perf.+182.2%
RELL vs ARW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | RELL | ARW |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Technology Distributors |
| Market Cap | $189M | $9.96B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $213M | $33.51B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $806K | $727M |
| Gross Margin | 31.1% | 11.3% |
| Operating Margin | 1.8% | 3.2% |
| Forward P/E | 60.3x | 11.1x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $3.09B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $36M | $306M |
RELL vs ARW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
RELL
ARW
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richardson Electron… (RELL) | 100 | 366.2 | +266.2% |
| Arrow Electronics, … (ARW) | 100 | 282.2 | +182.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: RELL vs ARW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ARW leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
RELL
Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
The Growth Play
RELL is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 6.3%, EPS growth 334.0%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.4%
- 240.0% 10Y total return vs ARW's 226.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.03, Low D/E 1.5%, current ratio 4.51x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
ARW
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
The Income Pick
ARW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 1.34
- Beta 1.34, current ratio 1.36x
- 10.5% revenue growth vs RELL's 6.3%
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ARW | 10.5% revenue growth vs RELL's 6.3% |
| Value | ARW | Lower P/E (11.1x vs 60.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | ARW | 2.2% margin vs RELL's 0.4% |
| Stability / Safety | ARW | Beta 1.34 vs RELL's 2.03 |
| Dividends | RELL | 1.8% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | RELL | +76.6% vs ARW's +64.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ARW | 2.6% ROA vs RELL's 0.4%, ROIC 7.6% vs -1.4% |
RELL vs ARW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
RELL vs ARW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLARWLAGGINGRELL
RELLRichardson Electronic…
0leads
ARWArrow Electronics, In…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs RELLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ARW5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ARW3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ARW1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARW is the larger business by revenue, generating $33.5B annually — 157.6x RELL's $213M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.2% (ARW) to 0.4% (RELL). On growth, ARW holds the edge at +39.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $213M | $33.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $8M | $1.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $806,000 | $727M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2M | $378M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.1% | +11.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.8% | +3.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.4% | +2.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.9% | +1.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.7% | +39.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +79.2% | +2.0% |
ARW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ARW leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ARW's 11.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than RELL's 101.1x.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $189M | $10.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $156M | $12.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -165.55x | 17.84x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 60.31x | 11.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.22x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 101.05x | 11.84x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.91x | 0.32x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.21x | 1.53x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 24.43x | — |
ARW leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ARW delivers a 11.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $1 for RELL. RELL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ARW's 0.46x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RELL scores 6/9 vs ARW's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.5% | +11.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.4% | +2.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.4% | +7.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.5% | +9.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.01x | 0.46x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$34M | $2.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $36M | $306M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $3.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 6.46x |
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RELL five years ago would be worth $21,989 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,617 for ARW. Over the past 12 months, RELL leads with a +76.6% total return vs ARW's +64.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ARW at 18.3% vs RELL's 1.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +44.1% | +72.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +76.6% | +64.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | +65.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +119.9% | +66.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +240.0% | +226.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.3% | +18.3% |
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ARW is the less volatile stock with a 1.34 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RELL's 2.03 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.03x | 1.34x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.55 | $199.47 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.66 | $101.79 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.9% | +97.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.6 | 71.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 110K | 570K |
Evenly matched — RELL and ARW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ARW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates RELL as "Hold" and ARW as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 6.9% upside for ARW (target: $208) vs -9.0% for RELL (target: $14). RELL is the only dividend payer here at 1.80% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | RELLRichardson Electr… | ARWArrow Electronics… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.00 | $208.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 17 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.28 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.6% |
ARW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ARW leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 3 categories are tied.
Best OverallArrow Electronics, Inc. (ARW)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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RELL vs ARW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is RELL or ARW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) is the stronger pick with 10. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 3% for Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL). Arrow Electronics, Inc. (ARW) offers the better valuation at 17. 8x trailing P/E (11. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL) a "Hold" — based on 1 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 — RELL or ARW?
On forward P/E, Arrow Electronics, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 11. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — RELL or ARW?
Over the past 5 years, Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
(RELL) delivered a total return of +119. 9%, compared to +66. 2% for Arrow Electronics, Inc. (ARW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RELL returned +240. 0% versus ARW's +226. 6%. 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 — RELL or ARW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 34β versus Richardson Electronics, Ltd. 's 2. 03β — meaning RELL is approximately 52% more volatile than ARW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 46% for Arrow Electronics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — RELL or ARW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) is pulling ahead at 10. 5% versus 6. 3% for Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL). Over a 3-year CAGR, RELL leads at -2. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — RELL or ARW?
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) is the more profitable company, earning 1. 9% net margin versus -0. 5% for Richardson Electronics, Ltd. — meaning it keeps 1. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ARW leads at 3. 0% versus -1. 2% for RELL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RELL leads at 31. 0%, 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 RELL or ARW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) trades at 11. 1x forward P/E versus 60. 3x for Richardson Electronics, Ltd. — 49. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ARW: 6. 9% to $208. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — RELL or ARW?
In this comparison, RELL (1.
8% yield) pays a dividend. ARW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is RELL or ARW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Arrow Electronics, Inc.
(ARW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+226. 6% 10Y return). Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL) carries a higher beta of 2. 03 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ARW: +226. 6%, RELL: +240. 0%), 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 RELL and ARW?
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: RELL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ARW is a small-cap deep-value stock. RELL pays a dividend while ARW 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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