F5 or Motorola Solutions: Which Stock Has More Upside?
Motorola Solutions fell -15% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer F5 gives you more. 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%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how MSI’s fundamentals stack up against those of FFIV on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| MSI | FFIV | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 22.6 | 17.3 | 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 | 52.9% | 55.2% | 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
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell FFIV Stock and Buy or Sell MSI Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| MSI Return | 7% | 62% | -4% | 23% | 49% | -18% | 153% | <=== | |
| FFIV Return | 26% | 39% | -41% | 25% | 41% | -9% | 64% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 13% | 107% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| MSI Win Rate | 58% | 83% | 50% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 61% | ||
| FFIV Win Rate | 42% | 58% | 25% | 58% | 83% | 50% | 53% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| MSI Max Drawdown | -22% | -2% | -27% | -2% | -1% | -17% | -12% | <=== | |
| FFIV Max Drawdown | -35% | -1% | -45% | -9% | -8% | -7% | -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 11/17/2025 (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.
Still not sure about MSI or FFIV? Consider portfolio approach.
A Multi Asset Portfolio Beats Picking Stocks Alone
Individual picks are volatile but diversified assets offset each other. A multi asset portfolio helps you stay the course capture upside and reduce downside.
The asset allocation framework of Trefis’ Boston-based, wealth management partner yielded positive returns during the 2008-09 period when the S&P lost more than 40%. Our partner’ strategy now includes Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which 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