Motorola Solutions (MSI) Competitors

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) and Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Does the media prefer MSI or CSCO?

In the previous week, Cisco Systems had 64 more articles in the media than Motorola Solutions. MarketBeat recorded 92 mentions for Cisco Systems and 28 mentions for Motorola Solutions. Motorola Solutions' average media sentiment score of 1.47 beat Cisco Systems' score of 1.22 indicating that Motorola Solutions is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Motorola Solutions	23 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Cisco Systems	67 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	13 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Which has higher earnings and valuation, MSI or CSCO?

Cisco Systems has higher revenue and earnings than Motorola Solutions. Cisco Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Motorola Solutions, 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
Motorola Solutions	$10.82B	6.56	$1.58B	$11.98	35.49
Cisco Systems	$53.80B	5.09	$10.32B	$2.45	28.20

Do analysts prefer MSI or CSCO?

Motorola Solutions presently has a consensus target price of $513.25, indicating a potential upside of 20.71%. Cisco Systems has a consensus target price of $69.53, indicating a potential upside of 0.62%. Given Motorola Solutions' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Motorola Solutions is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Motorola Solutions	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	8 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.89
Cisco Systems	0 Sell rating(s)	7 Hold rating(s)	14 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.78

Is MSI or CSCO a better dividend stock?

Motorola Solutions pays an annual dividend of $4.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Cisco Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Motorola Solutions pays out 36.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cisco Systems pays out 66.9% 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. Motorola Solutions has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Cisco Systems has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years.

Which has more volatility and risk, MSI or CSCO?

Motorola Solutions has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.9, meaning that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Is MSI or CSCO more profitable?

Motorola Solutions has a net margin of 18.67% compared to Cisco Systems' net margin of 17.60%. Motorola Solutions' return on equity of 160.93% beat Cisco Systems' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Motorola Solutions	18.67%	160.93%	15.84%
Cisco Systems	17.60%	26.48%	9.87%

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in MSI or CSCO?

84.2% of Motorola Solutions shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Motorola Solutions shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Motorola Solutions beats Cisco Systems on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.