Bull case
MSI would need investors to value it at roughly 35x earnings — about 9x more generous than today's 26x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where MSI stock could go
MSI would need investors to value it at roughly 35x earnings — about 9x more generous than today's 26x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 32x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 8x multiple contraction could push MSI down roughly 29% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Motorola Solutions is a provider of mission-critical communications equipment and software for public safety and commercial customers. It generates revenue primarily through two segments: Products and Systems Integration (~70% of sales) selling radios, video security hardware, and network infrastructure, and Software and Services (~30%) offering maintenance, support, and software subscriptions. The company's moat lies in its entrenched position in public safety communications—particularly its Land Mobile Radio systems—where switching costs are high and reliability requirements create significant barriers to entry.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $3.18/$3.01 | +5.6% | $2.5B/$2.5B | +0.5% |
| Q3 2025 | $3.57/$3.35 | +6.6% | $2.8B/$2.7B | +1.2% |
| Q4 2025 | $4.06/$3.85 | +5.5% | $3.0B/$3.0B | +0.7% |
| Q1 2026 | $4.59/$4.35 | +5.5% | $3.4B/$3.3B | +1.1% |
MSI beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $464 — implies +6.4% from today's price.
| Metric | MSI | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg MSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 25.8x | 19.1x+36% | 21.7x+19% | — |
| Trailing PE | 34.0x | 25.2x+35% | 27.5x+24% | 36.4x |
| PEG Ratio | 1.84x | 1.75x | 1.47x+25% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 24.0x | 15.3x+57% | 17.4x+38% | 23.9x |
| Price/FCF | 27.9x | 21.3x+31% | 19.8x+41% | 30.0x |
| Price/Sales | 6.2x | 3.1x+96% | 2.4x+155% | 5.8x |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.88% | 1.18% | 1.05% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolMSI generates $2.6B in free cash flow at a 22.0% margin — 25.2% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.6% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~3.3 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (25.2%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt). ROE marked * where buyback-compressed equity base may inflate the figure.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Motorola Solutions faces 26% of identified risks from legal and regulatory exposure, including compliance with product safety, consumer protection, worker safety, and environmental mandates. Non‑compliance could trigger fines, product recalls, or operational restrictions, potentially eroding margins.
22% of risks stem from rapid tech change and the need for continuous R&D. Emerging competitors and disruptive solutions threaten Motorola’s market leadership, while failure to innovate could reduce demand for its high‑value products.
Production risks, also 22%, involve design, manufacturing, or component defects that can lead to customer dissatisfaction, order cancellations, and reputational damage. Quality lapses may increase warranty costs and delay deliveries.
Geopolitical unrest, tariff wars, and other global events can disrupt supply chains, raising component costs and delivery times. Such disruptions could increase production costs and delay product availability.
The sophistication of cyberattacks, especially those linked to geopolitical conflicts, poses a significant risk to Motorola’s sensitive data. A breach could compromise customer trust and result in regulatory penalties.
Motorola’s current P/E ratio reflects a premium, indicating high growth expectations. Failure to meet these expectations could trigger a stock price correction, impacting shareholder value.
The pending Silvus acquisition presents operational challenges, including cultural alignment and growth momentum. Poor integration could dilute synergies and strain resources.
Over‑reliance on a single market exposes Motorola to profitability fluctuations if that market experiences a significant trend shift. Concentration risk could affect revenue stability.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Motorola Solutions is expanding its AI‑driven security platform with new cameras, access control devices, and intelligent software for real‑time incident response. This shift toward operational intelligence is expected to generate recurring software revenue, positioning the company for higher margin growth.
Demand for land mobile radio (LMR) and video security remains strong, driving revenue growth. MSI’s leadership in mission‑critical voice and data systems for public safety and defense underpins its core strength.
The acquisition of Silvus Technologies expands MSI’s mobile ad‑hoc networking capabilities for defense and unmanned systems, exceeding initial expectations and opening new markets.
MSI has posted year‑over‑year growth in equity, EPS, net income, and operating income. Revenue is projected to grow at a 7% CAGR over the next three years, while EPS is expected to rise over 30% this year.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSI MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc. | $71.9B | 25.8x | +8.5% | 18.4% | Buy | +11.0% |
AXO AXON Axon Enterprise, Inc. | $31.1B | 49.7x | +31.5% | 6.9% | Buy | +88.3% |
DGI DGII Digi International Inc. | $2.2B | 25.5x | +4.8% | 9.1% | Buy | -14.5% |
JCI JCI Johnson Controls International plc | $87.6B | 30.2x | +3.7% | 18.9% | Buy | -3.6% |
SAI SAIC Science Applications International Corporation | $4.2B | 9.3x | -1.6% | 4.9% | Hold | +3.3% |
TRM TRMB Trimble Inc. | $15.0B | 20.5x | -0.9% | 12.4% | Buy | +49.8% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
MSI returns capital mainly through $1.2B/year in buybacks (1.6% buyback yield), with a modest 0.99% dividend — combining for 2.6% total shareholder yield. The dividend has grown for 14 consecutive years.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.21 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $4.48 | +11.2% | 1.8% | 2.9% |
| 2024 | $4.03 | +11.3% | 0.3% | 1.1% |
| 2023 | $3.62 | +11.4% | 1.5% | 2.6% |
| 2022 | $3.25 | +11.3% | 1.9% | 3.1% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 33 analysts covering the stock, 23 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 6 rate it Hold, and 4 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $481, implying +11.0% from the current price of $434. The bear case scenario is $306 and the bull case is $588.
The Wall Street consensus price target for MSI is $481 based on 33 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $506 (+16.7% from today), and the low-end target is $450 (+3.8%). The base case model target is $544.
MSI trades at 25.8x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals slightly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for MSI in 2026 are: (1) Legal & Regulatory Compliance — Motorola Solutions faces 26% of identified risks from legal and regulatory exposure, including compliance with product safety, consumer protection, worker safety, and environmental mandates. (2) Tech & Innovation Disruption — 22% of risks stem from rapid tech change and the need for continuous R&D. (3) Production & Quality Issues — Production risks, also 22%, involve design, manufacturing, or component defects that can lead to customer dissatisfaction, order cancellations, and reputational damage. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates MSI will report consensus revenue of $12.7B (+8.5% year-over-year) and EPS of $14.81 (+15.6% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $13.7B in revenue.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-07. Consensus expects EPS of $3.25 and revenue of $2.7B. Over recent quarters, MSI has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) generated $2.6B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 22.0%. MSI returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.0% yield) and share repurchases ($1.2B TTM).