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SMP vs BWA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Auto - Parts
SMP vs BWA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Auto - Parts | Auto - Parts |
| Market Cap | $871M | $12.05B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.83B | $14.33B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $46M | $362M |
| Gross Margin | 30.6% | 18.9% |
| Operating Margin | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Forward P/E | 8.9x | 11.3x |
| Total Debt | $682M | $4.18B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $72M | $2.31B |
SMP vs BWA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Motor Prod… (SMP) | 100 | 92.5 | -7.5% |
| BorgWarner Inc. (BWA) | 100 | 205.7 | +105.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SMP vs BWA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SMP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.81, yield 3.1%
- Rev growth 22.4%, EPS growth -23.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.81, Low D/E 97.7%, current ratio 2.13x
BWA is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 114.1% 10Y total return vs SMP's 29.9%
- 2.5% margin vs SMP's 2.5%
- +94.2% vs SMP's +44.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 22.4% revenue growth vs BWA's 1.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.9x vs 11.3x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 2.5% margin vs SMP's 2.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.81 vs BWA's 1.01 | |
| Dividends | 3.1% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs BWA's 0.9% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +94.2% vs SMP's +44.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.6% ROA vs SMP's 2.3%, ROIC 12.9% vs 10.8% |
SMP vs BWA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SMP vs BWA — 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 — SMP and BWA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BWA is the larger business by revenue, generating $14.3B annually — 7.8x SMP's $1.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.5% (BWA) to 2.5% (SMP). On growth, SMP holds the edge at +9.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.8B | $14.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $229M | $1.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $46M | $362M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $39M | $1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.6% | +18.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.1% | +9.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.5% | +2.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.2% | +11.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.1% | +0.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +33.9% | +61.1% |
Valuation Metrics
SMP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.4x trailing earnings, SMP trades at a 53% valuation discount to BWA's 45.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SMP's 6.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than BWA's 6.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $871M | $12.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $13.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.38x | 45.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.95x | 11.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.50x | 6.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.49x | 0.84x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.27x | 2.24x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 46.55x | 10.22x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BWA leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SMP delivers a 6.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $6 for BWA. BWA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.74x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SMP's 0.98x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BWA scores 8/9 vs SMP's 7/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.6% | +6.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.3% | +2.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.8% | +12.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.8% | +12.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.98x | 0.74x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $610M | $1.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $72M | $2.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $682M | $4.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.79x | 10.46x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BWA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BWA five years ago would be worth $12,873 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,470 for SMP. Over the past 12 months, BWA leads with a +94.2% total return vs SMP's +44.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BWA at 14.7% vs SMP's 5.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +7.0% | +25.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +44.7% | +94.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +16.9% | +50.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.3% | +28.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +29.9% | +114.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +5.3% | +14.7% |
Risk & Volatility
SMP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SMP is the less volatile stock with a 0.81 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BWA's 1.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.81x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $46.00 | $70.08 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $27.91 | $29.41 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.5% | +83.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.1 | 65.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 120K | 2.3M |
Analyst Outlook
SMP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SMP as "Buy" and BWA as "Buy". For income investors, SMP offers the higher dividend yield at 3.08% vs BWA's 0.95%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $68.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 12 | 38 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.1% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +4.2% |
SMP leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). BWA leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
SMP vs BWA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SMP or BWA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is the stronger pick with 22. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 7% for BorgWarner Inc. (BWA). Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) offers the better valuation at 21. 4x trailing P/E (8. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 — SMP or BWA?
On trailing P/E, Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is the cheapest at 21. 4x versus BorgWarner Inc. at 45. 5x. On forward P/E, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SMP or BWA?
Over the past 5 years, BorgWarner Inc.
(BWA) delivered a total return of +28. 7%, compared to -5. 3% for Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BWA returned +114. 1% versus SMP's +29. 9%. 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 — SMP or BWA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 81β versus BorgWarner Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning BWA is approximately 24% more volatile than SMP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BorgWarner Inc. (BWA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 74% versus 98% for Standard Motor Products, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SMP or BWA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is pulling ahead at 22. 4% versus 1. 7% for BorgWarner Inc. (BWA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BorgWarner Inc. grew EPS -14. 7% year-over-year, compared to -23. 7% for Standard Motor Products, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SMP leads at 9. 3% 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 — SMP or BWA?
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 3% net margin versus 1. 9% for BorgWarner Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SMP leads at 10. 3% versus 9. 2% for BWA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMP leads at 30. 2%, 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 SMP or BWA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) trades at 8. 9x forward P/E versus 11. 3x for BorgWarner Inc. — 2. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — SMP or BWA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 0. 9% for BorgWarner Inc. (BWA).
09Is SMP or BWA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(SMP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 81), 3. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SMP: +29. 9%, BWA: +114. 1%), 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 SMP and BWA?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: SMP is a small-cap high-growth stock; BWA is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. 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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