ST
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$6.45B
5Y Perf.+24.4%
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Stock Comparison
ST vs NOVT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NOVT
Novanta Inc.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$4.86B
5Y Perf.+32.7%
ST vs NOVT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ST | NOVT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Hardware, Equipment & Parts |
| Market Cap | $6.45B | $4.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.73B | $981M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $48M | $54M |
| Gross Margin | 28.0% | 44.4% |
| Operating Margin | 14.2% | 11.9% |
| Forward P/E | 12.0x | 38.2x |
| Total Debt | $2.92B | $342M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $573M | $381M |
ST vs NOVT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ST
NOVT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensata Technologie… (ST) | 100 | 124.4 | +24.4% |
| Novanta Inc. (NOVT) | 100 | 132.7 | +32.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ST vs NOVT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ST leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. Novanta Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ST
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
The Income Pick
ST carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.98, yield 1.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.98, current ratio 2.57x
- Beta 1.98, yield 1.1%, current ratio 2.57x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
NOVT
Novanta Inc.
The Growth Play
NOVT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 3.3%, EPS growth -16.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.4%
- 8.5% 10Y total return vs ST's 33.5%
- 3.3% revenue growth vs ST's -5.9%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NOVT | 3.3% revenue growth vs ST's -5.9% |
| Value | ST | Lower P/E (12.0x vs 38.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | NOVT | 5.5% margin vs ST's 1.3% |
| Stability / Safety | ST | Beta 1.98 vs NOVT's 2.02 |
| Dividends | ST | 1.1% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ST | +106.6% vs NOVT's +14.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NOVT | 3.0% ROA vs ST's 0.7%, ROIC 7.4% vs 7.2% |
ST vs NOVT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
ST vs NOVT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSTLAGGINGNOVT
NOVTNovanta Inc.
1leads
STSensata Technologies …
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NOVTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ST5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NOVT8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ST4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ST2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — ST and NOVT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ST is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.7B annually — 3.8x NOVT's $981M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 5.5% (NOVT) to 1.3% (ST). On growth, NOVT holds the edge at +8.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.7B | $981M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $775M | $179M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $48M | $54M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $508M | $48M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +28.0% | +44.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.2% | +11.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +1.3% | +5.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +4.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.0% | +8.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.5% | -2.2% |
Evenly matched — ST and NOVT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ST leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 92.7x trailing earnings, NOVT trades at a 56% valuation discount to ST's 211.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ST's 11.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NOVT's 27.0x.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.4B | $4.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.8B | $4.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 211.14x | 92.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.04x | 38.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 28.13x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.42x | 27.00x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.74x | 4.96x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.34x | 3.81x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.15x | 100.38x |
ST leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NOVT leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NOVT delivers a 4.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $4 in annual profit, vs $2 for ST. NOVT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.26x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ST's 1.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ST scores 6/9 vs NOVT's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.7% | +4.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.7% | +3.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.2% | +7.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.3% | +8.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.05x | 0.26x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.3B | -$39M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $573M | $381M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.9B | $342M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.39x | 4.89x |
NOVT leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ST leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NOVT five years ago would be worth $10,573 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,855 for ST. Over the past 12 months, ST leads with a +106.6% total return vs NOVT's +14.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ST at 3.4% vs NOVT's -5.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.4% | +22.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +106.6% | +14.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.4% | -15.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -21.4% | +5.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.5% | +853.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +3.4% | -5.3% |
ST leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ST leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ST is the less volatile stock with a 1.98 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NOVT's 2.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ST currently trades 96.5% from its 52-week high vs NOVT's 90.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.98x | 2.02x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $45.96 | $149.95 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.39 | $98.27 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.5% | +90.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.4 | 62.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.8M | 375K |
ST leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ST as "Buy" and NOVT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 10.1% upside for NOVT (target: $150) vs 1.5% for ST (target: $45). ST is the only dividend payer here at 1.08% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | STSensata Technolog… | NOVTNovanta Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $45.00 | $150.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 3 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.48 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | +0.8% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
ST leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). NOVT leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallSensata Technologies Holdin… (ST)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
ST vs NOVT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ST or NOVT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) is the stronger pick with 3. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 9% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). Novanta Inc. (NOVT) offers the better valuation at 92. 7x trailing P/E (38. 2x 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 NOVT?
On trailing P/E, Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) is the cheapest at 92. 7x 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 NOVT?
Over the past 5 years, Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) delivered a total return of +5. 7%, compared to -21. 4% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NOVT returned +853. 7% 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 NOVT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
98β versus Novanta Inc. 's 2. 02β — meaning NOVT is approximately 2% more volatile than ST relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Novanta Inc. (NOVT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 26% versus 105% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ST or NOVT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) is pulling ahead at 3. 3% versus -5. 9% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Novanta Inc. grew EPS -16. 9% year-over-year, compared to -75. 3% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, NOVT leads at 4. 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 — ST or NOVT?
Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 5% net margin versus 0. 8% for Sensata Technologies Holding plc — meaning it keeps 5. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ST leads at 13. 9% versus 11. 9% for NOVT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NOVT leads at 44. 4%, 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 NOVT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) trades at 12.
0x forward P/E versus 38. 2x for Novanta Inc. — 26. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NOVT: 10. 1% to $150. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — ST or NOVT?
In this comparison, ST (1.
1% yield) pays a dividend. NOVT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is ST or NOVT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Novanta Inc.
(NOVT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+853. 7% 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 (NOVT: +853. 7%, 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 NOVT?
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 NOVT 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(ST: 2.0% · NOVT: 8.5%)P/E Ratio<
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