ST
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$6.45B
5Y Perf.+24.4%
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Stock Comparison
ST vs CTS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CTS
CTS Corporation
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$1.71B
5Y Perf.+180.5%
ST vs CTS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ST | CTS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Hardware, Equipment & Parts |
| Market Cap | $6.45B | $1.71B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.73B | $556M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $48M | $69M |
| Gross Margin | 28.0% | 38.7% |
| Operating Margin | 14.2% | 15.9% |
| Forward P/E | 12.0x | 24.6x |
| Total Debt | $2.92B | $122M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $573M | $82M |
ST vs CTS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ST
CTS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensata Technologie… (ST) | 100 | 124.4 | +24.4% |
| CTS Corporation (CTS) | 100 | 280.5 | +180.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ST vs CTS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CTS leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Sensata Technologies Holding plc is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ST
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
The Defensive Pick
ST is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 1.98, yield 1.1%, current ratio 2.57x
- Lower P/E (12.0x vs 24.6x)
- 1.1% yield, vs CTS's 0.3%
Best for: defensive
CTS
CTS Corporation
The Income Pick
CTS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.44, yield 0.3%
- Rev growth 5.2%, EPS growth 15.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.6%
- 253.2% 10Y total return vs ST's 33.5%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CTS | 5.2% revenue growth vs ST's -5.9% |
| Value | ST | Lower P/E (12.0x vs 24.6x) |
| Quality / Margins | CTS | 12.4% margin vs ST's 1.3% |
| Stability / Safety | CTS | Beta 1.44 vs ST's 1.98, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ST | 1.1% yield, vs CTS's 0.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ST | +106.6% vs CTS's +53.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CTS | 8.9% ROA vs ST's 0.7%, ROIC 11.1% vs 7.2% |
ST vs CTS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2012
ST vs CTS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCTSLAGGINGST
STSensata Technologies …
1leads
CTSCTS Corporation
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs STMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CTS6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ST5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CTS9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CTS5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CTS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CTS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ST is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.7B annually — 6.7x CTS's $556M. CTS is the more profitable business, keeping 12.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ST's 1.3%. On growth, CTS holds the edge at +10.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.7B | $556M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $775M | $123M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $48M | $69M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $508M | $88M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +28.0% | +38.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.2% | +15.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +1.3% | +12.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +15.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.0% | +10.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.5% | +34.1% |
CTS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ST leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 27.3x trailing earnings, CTS trades at a 87% valuation discount to ST's 211.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ST's 11.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CTS's 14.7x.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.4B | $1.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.8B | $1.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 211.14x | 27.33x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.04x | 24.63x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.42x | 14.68x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.74x | 3.16x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.34x | 3.23x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.15x | 19.82x |
ST leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CTS leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CTS delivers a 12.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $2 for ST. CTS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ST's 1.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CTS scores 7/9 vs ST's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.7% | +12.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.7% | +8.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.2% | +11.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.3% | +12.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.05x | 0.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.3B | $40M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $573M | $82M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.9B | $122M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.39x | 18.18x |
CTS leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CTS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CTS five years ago would be worth $18,321 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,855 for ST. Over the past 12 months, ST leads with a +106.6% total return vs CTS's +53.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CTS at 13.1% vs ST's 3.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.4% | +36.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +106.6% | +53.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.4% | +44.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -21.4% | +83.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.5% | +253.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +3.4% | +13.1% |
CTS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CTS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CTS is the less volatile stock with a 1.44 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ST's 1.98 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.98x | 1.44x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $45.96 | $60.81 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.39 | $36.03 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.5% | +98.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.4 | 71.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.8M | 209K |
CTS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ST and CTS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ST as "Buy" and CTS as "Hold". For income investors, ST offers the higher dividend yield at 1.08% vs CTS's 0.27%.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | CTSCTS Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $45.00 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.48 | $0.16 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | +3.3% |
Evenly matched — ST and CTS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CTS leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ST leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallCTS Corporation (CTS)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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ST vs CTS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ST or CTS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the stronger pick with 5.
2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 9% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). CTS Corporation (CTS) offers the better valuation at 27. 3x trailing P/E (24. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) a "Buy" — based on 29 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 — ST or CTS?
On trailing P/E, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the cheapest at 27.
3x versus Sensata Technologies Holding plc at 211. 1x. On forward P/E, Sensata Technologies Holding plc is actually cheaper at 12. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ST or CTS?
Over the past 5 years, CTS Corporation (CTS) delivered a total return of +83.
2%, compared to -21. 4% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CTS returned +253. 2% versus ST's +33. 5%. 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 — ST or CTS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CTS Corporation (CTS) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
44β versus Sensata Technologies Holding plc's 1. 98β — meaning ST is approximately 37% more volatile than CTS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CTS Corporation (CTS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 105% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ST or CTS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CTS Corporation (CTS) is pulling ahead at 5.
2% versus -5. 9% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CTS Corporation grew EPS 15. 9% year-over-year, compared to -75. 3% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, CTS leads at -2. 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 — ST or CTS?
CTS Corporation (CTS) is the more profitable company, earning 12.
0% net margin versus 0. 8% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc — meaning it keeps 12. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTS leads at 15. 6% versus 13. 9% for ST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CTS leads at 38. 5%, 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 ST or CTS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) trades at 12.
0x forward P/E versus 24. 6x for CTS Corporation — 12. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — ST or CTS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 3% for CTS Corporation (CTS).
09Is ST or CTS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+253.
2% 10Y return). Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) carries a higher beta of 1. 98 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTS: +253. 2%, ST: +33. 5%), 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 ST and CTS?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
ST pays a dividend while CTS 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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