Methode Electronics (MEI) Competitors

Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI) and Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Is MEI or BHE more profitable?

Benchmark Electronics has a net margin of 2.03% compared to Methode Electronics' net margin of -5.97%. Benchmark Electronics' return on equity of 6.37% beat Methode Electronics' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Methode Electronics	-5.97%	-5.60%	-3.01%
Benchmark Electronics	2.03%	6.37%	3.28%

Which has stronger valuation & earnings, MEI or BHE?

Benchmark Electronics has higher revenue and earnings than Methode Electronics. Methode Electronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Benchmark Electronics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Methode Electronics	$1.05B	0.23	-$62.60M	-$1.78	-3.72
Benchmark Electronics	$2.66B	0.54	$63.33M	$1.45	27.18

Which has more volatility & risk, MEI or BHE?

Methode Electronics has a beta of 1.01, suggesting that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Benchmark Electronics has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Do analysts recommend MEI or BHE?

Methode Electronics currently has a consensus price target of $10.50, suggesting a potential upside of 58.61%. Benchmark Electronics has a consensus price target of $47.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.26%. Given Methode Electronics' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Methode Electronics is more favorable than Benchmark Electronics.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Methode Electronics	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Benchmark Electronics	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of MEI or BHE?

95.5% of Methode Electronics shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.3% of Benchmark Electronics shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Methode Electronics shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Benchmark Electronics shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Is MEI or BHE a better dividend stock?

Methode Electronics pays an annual dividend of $0.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Benchmark Electronics pays an annual dividend of $0.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Methode Electronics pays out -15.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Benchmark Electronics pays out 46.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Benchmark Electronics has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Methode Electronics is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Does the media favor MEI or BHE?

In the previous week, Methode Electronics had 12 more articles in the media than Benchmark Electronics. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for Methode Electronics and 3 mentions for Benchmark Electronics. Methode Electronics' average media sentiment score of 0.90 beat Benchmark Electronics' score of 0.35 indicating that Methode Electronics is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Methode Electronics	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	1 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Benchmark Electronics	1 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Summary

Benchmark Electronics beats Methode Electronics on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.