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SPOK vs MSI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Communication Equipment
SPOK vs MSI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Information Services | Communication Equipment |
| Market Cap | $225M | $72.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $103M | $11.87B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $11M | $2.09B |
| Gross Margin | 91.4% | 49.9% |
| Operating Margin | 13.2% | 24.3% |
| Forward P/E | 16.5x | 22.8x |
| Total Debt | $7M | $9.77B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $25M | $1.17B |
SPOK vs MSI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) | 100 | 106.0 | +6.0% |
| Motorola Solutions,… (MSI) | 100 | 283.7 | +183.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SPOK vs MSI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SPOK is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.42, Low D/E 4.7%, current ratio 1.18x
- Beta 0.42, yield 11.9%, current ratio 1.18x
- Lower P/E (16.5x vs 22.8x)
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 38.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.6%
- 5.5% 10Y total return vs SPOK's 13.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 8.0% revenue growth vs SPOK's 1.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.5x vs 22.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 17.6% margin vs SPOK's 10.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.21 vs SPOK's 0.42 | |
| Dividends | 11.9% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs MSI's 1.0% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +5.6% vs SPOK's -26.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.4% ROA vs SPOK's 5.2%, ROIC 25.6% vs 11.3% |
SPOK vs MSI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SPOK vs MSI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSI is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.9B annually — 114.8x SPOK's $103M. MSI is the more profitable business, keeping 17.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SPOK's 10.3%. On growth, MSI holds the edge at +7.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $103M | $11.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $17M | $3.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $11M | $2.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $26M | $2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +91.4% | +49.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +24.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.3% | +17.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +24.7% | +21.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | +7.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -64.0% | -13.8% |
Valuation Metrics
SPOK leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.4x trailing earnings, SPOK trades at a 58% valuation discount to MSI's 34.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SPOK's 8.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MSI's 23.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $225M | $72.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $206M | $80.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.44x | 33.99x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.50x | 22.83x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.83x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.91x | 23.83x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.61x | 6.17x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.56x | 30.04x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.91x | 28.03x |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — SPOK and MSI each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MSI delivers a 89.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $90 in annual profit, vs $7 for SPOK. SPOK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MSI's 4.02x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SPOK scores 6/9 vs MSI's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.3% | +89.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.2% | +11.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +11.3% | +25.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.1% | +25.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.05x | 4.02x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$18M | $8.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $25M | $1.2B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $7M | $9.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 12.80x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MSI five years ago would be worth $22,733 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,194 for SPOK. Over the past 12 months, MSI leads with a +5.6% total return vs SPOK's -26.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MSI at 16.1% vs SPOK's 4.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -14.3% | +14.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -26.7% | +5.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +13.4% | +56.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +61.9% | +127.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +13.3% | +554.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.3% | +16.1% |
Risk & Volatility
MSI leads this category, winning 2 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 SPOK's 0.42 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MSI currently trades 88.1% from its 52-week high vs SPOK's 56.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.40x | 0.22x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.31 | $492.22 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.96 | $361.32 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +56.1% | +88.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 36.7 | 43.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 185K | 880K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SPOK and MSI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SPOK as "Hold" and MSI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 38.5% upside for SPOK (target: $15) vs 14.5% for MSI (target: $497). For income investors, SPOK offers the higher dividend yield at 11.95% vs MSI's 1.00%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.00 | $496.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +11.9% | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.29 | $4.33 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.3% | +1.6% |
MSI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). SPOK leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
SPOK vs MSI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SPOK or MSI 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 Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK). Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) offers the better valuation at 14. 4x trailing P/E (16. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) a "Buy" — based on 34 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 — SPOK or MSI?
On trailing P/E, Spok Holdings, Inc.
(SPOK) is the cheapest at 14. 4x versus Motorola Solutions, Inc. at 34. 0x. On forward P/E, Spok Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SPOK or MSI?
Over the past 5 years, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) delivered a total return of +127. 3%, compared to +61. 9% for Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSI returned +484. 3% versus SPOK's +13. 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 — SPOK or MSI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 22β versus Spok Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 40β — meaning SPOK is approximately 81% more volatile than MSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 4% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SPOK or MSI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is pulling ahead at 8. 0% versus 1. 5% for Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Motorola Solutions, Inc. grew EPS 38. 2% year-over-year, compared to 2. 7% for Spok Holdings, 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 — SPOK or MSI?
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
(MSI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 4% net margin versus 11. 4% for Spok Holdings, 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 14. 1% for SPOK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SPOK leads at 78. 8%, 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 SPOK or MSI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Spok Holdings, Inc.
(SPOK) trades at 16. 5x forward P/E versus 22. 8x for Motorola Solutions, Inc. — 6. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SPOK: 38. 5% to $15. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — SPOK or MSI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) offers the highest yield at 11. 9%, versus 1. 0% for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI).
09Is SPOK or MSI 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. 22), 1. 0% yield, +484. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSI: +484. 3%, SPOK: +13. 6%), 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 SPOK and MSI?
These companies operate in different sectors (SPOK (Healthcare) and MSI (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: SPOK is a small-cap deep-value stock; MSI 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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