Motorola Solutions vs F5: Which Stock Could Rally?
Even as Motorola Solutions fell -5.8% during the past Day, its peer F5 may be a better choice. Consistently evaluating alternatives is core to sound investment approach. F5 (FFIV) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Motorola Solutions (MSI) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in FFIV
- FFIV’s quarterly revenue growth was 12.2%, vs. MSI’s 5.2%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 8.9%, ahead of MSI’s 6.4%.
- FFIV’s LTM margin is higher: 25.2% vs. MSI’s 25.1%.
A single stock can be risky, but there is a huge value to a broader, diversified approach. If you seek an upside with less volatility than holding an individual stock, consider the Trefis High Quality Portfolio (HQ). HQ has outperformed its benchmark — a combination of S&P 500, Russell, and S&P midcap index — and achieved returns exceeding 91% since its inception. Risk management is key — consider what the long-term portfolio performance could be if you blended 10% commodities, 10% gold, and 2% crypto with HQ’s performance metrics.
MSI provides mission-critical communications, analytics, land mobile radios, video security, access control devices, and systems integration through products and software services. FFIV provides multi-cloud application security, delivery, and performance solutions with professional consulting, training, installation, and support services for enterprises, governments, and service providers.
Valuation & Performance Overview
- Pay Less, Gain More: MSI, FFIV Top Cisco Systems Stock
- Stronger Bet Than Cisco Systems Stock: MSI, FFIV Deliver More
- Motorola Solutions Stock Lost 7.9%, Buy Or Wait?
- MSI Stock Up 12%, Is More Growth Ahead?
- Better Bet Than Ciena Stock: Pay Less To Get More From ANET, MSI
- MSI Stock Up 8.6% after 5-Day Win Streak
| MSI | FFIV | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 24.4 | 19.2 | FFIV |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 5.2% | 12.2% | FFIV |
| Last 12 Months | 6.4% | 8.9% | FFIV |
| Last 3 Year Average | 9.5% | 4.2% | MSI |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 25.1% | 25.2% | FFIV |
| Last 3 Year Average | 23.8% | 21.8% | MSI |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 68.4% | 77.1% | FFIV |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: MSI Revenue Comparison | FFIV Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: MSI Operating Income Comparison | FFIV Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell FFIV Stock to see if F5’s edge holds up under the hood or if Motorola Solutions still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell MSI Stock).
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| MSI Return | 7% | 62% | -4% | 23% | 49% | -6% | 194% | <=== | |
| FFIV Return | 26% | 39% | -41% | 25% | 41% | 2% | 114% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 110% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| MSI Win Rate | 58% | 83% | 50% | 50% | 75% | 56% | 62% | ||
| FFIV Win Rate | 42% | 58% | 25% | 58% | 83% | 56% | 54% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| MSI Max Drawdown | -22% | -2% | -27% | -2% | -1% | -14% | -12% | <=== | |
| FFIV Max Drawdown | -35% | -1% | -45% | -9% | -8% | -5% | -17% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | ||
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 10/31/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read FFIV Dip Buyer Analyses and MSI Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.