BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Communications Equipment

How Motorola Solutions (MSI) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on MSI alone. It places MSI (Motorola Solutions, Inc.) against 18 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where MSI stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: MSI's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against MSI →Chart MSI vs. 18 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about MSI

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in MSI have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in MSI over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of MSI over the same span and MSI's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 637 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MSI; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,00019972004201120182025
  • AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
  • RY$442,765+4,328% total · +14.0% a year
  • LHX$250,828+2,408% total · +11.8% a year
  • CSCO$206,586+1,966% total · +11.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • HON$84,134+741% total · +7.6% a year
  • MSI$73,374+634% total · +7.1% a year
  • DGII$53,499+435% total · +6.0% a year
  • BKTI$37,565+276% total · +4.7% a year
  • ERIC$5,900−41.0% total · −1.8% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 756 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MSI; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000202120222023202420252026
  • PLTR$77,807+678% total · +50.7% a year
  • BKTI$55,671+457% total · +41.0% a year
  • HPE$51,318+413% total · +38.7% a year
  • PANW$49,770+398% total · +37.8% a year
  • DGII$36,266+263% total · +29.4% a year
  • AXON$24,141+141% total · +19.3% a year
  • CSCO$22,737+127% total · +17.9% a year
  • MSI$20,359+104% total · +15.3% a year
  • UI$19,972+99.7% total · +14.8% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

MSI at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$79B
Industry
Communication Equipment
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+8.2%total return
Past 3 years
+76.6%+20.9% a year
Past 5 years
+103%+15.2% a year
Past 10 years
+639%+22.1% a year
Best calendar year
+142%1999
Worst calendar year
−71.6%2008
Losing years
9 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
23.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.72return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−93.8%Mar 2000 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−3.3%below the peak

MSI against the whole market

Where MSI ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does MSI rank among all stocks?

This section ranks MSI on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how MSI stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureMSIRankStanding
1-year return+8.2%1,695 of 3,282bottom 49%
3-year return+76.6%1,198 of 3,016top 40%
5-year return+103%664 of 2,897top 23%
10-year return+639%214 of 2,201top 10%
Volatility, 5 years23.6%240 of 2,897top 8%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.72416 of 2,897top 14%
Worst decline, past 10 years−32.8%40 of 2,184top 2%

What has beaten MSI on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). MSI sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than MSI with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to MSI; faint dots are 22 more of the 38 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%28.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than MSIMO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%CRAK: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%TJX: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.3%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%KMI: +20.1% a year, volatility 22.3%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%ORI: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.2%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%EUFN: +18.1% a year, volatility 21.8%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%ATMP: +21.7% a year, volatility 21.5%IGE: +18.1% a year, volatility 22.0%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%BTI: +19.4% a year, volatility 22.0%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%MSISPY (S&P 500)CSCORYAMGNDXJTDBTINVSWELLPVAL10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than MSIMO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%CRAK: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%TJX: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.3%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%KMI: +20.1% a year, volatility 22.3%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%ORI: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.2%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%EUFN: +18.1% a year, volatility 21.8%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%ATMP: +21.7% a year, volatility 21.5%IGE: +18.1% a year, volatility 22.0%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%BTI: +19.4% a year, volatility 22.0%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%MSISPY (S&P 500)CSCORYAMGNDXJTDBTINVSWELLPVAL
  • Popular alternatives
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 4 with more than 1.6× MSI's volatility are in the table only

Is there a better investment than MSI?

Investments that beat MSI over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat MSI over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks MSI's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than MSI follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than MSI's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× MSI's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than MSI's.

Screen the whole market against MSI for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 14 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with MSI?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · this page
+15.2%23.6%0.72−32.8%+639%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.550.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against MSI. 5 of 17 passed at least one test.
PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc. · Enterprise Software
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+51.7%67.0%0.95−84.6%—0.20—
PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return in most periods+33.4%43.4%0.89−48.0%+1,306%0.06—
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return in most periods+16.9%26.1%0.73−42.0%+361%0.15—
HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Company · Computer Hardware
Higher return in most periods+32.8%42.3%0.89−56.9%+481%0.15—
DGIIDigi International Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return in most periods+28.0%42.4%0.80−65.7%+562%0.23—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 184 of 3,484 passed at least one test.
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.30—
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.1%24.9%0.86−24.9%+280%0.33—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.380.48%
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.17—
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+19.4%22.0%0.92−56.1%+110%0.15—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.46—
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+27.0%23.8%1.13−63.3%+378%0.35—
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.580.56%
What these numbers mean for MSI
Annual return
MSI returned 15.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $20,300. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
MSI's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MSI's return lands within 23.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
MSI's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so MSI earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
MSI's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 32.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 32.8% fall takes a 48.8% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, MSI's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.55 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MSI instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MSI holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 38 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than MSI with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 27 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with MSIExpense
1
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.30—
2
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.380.48%
3
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.17—
4
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+19.4%22.0%0.92−56.1%+110%0.15—
5
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.3%21.4%0.90−53.7%+133%0.42—
6
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+360%0.35—
7
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.46—
8
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%—0.050.80%
9
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%0.270.40%
10
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Oil Refining
Whole market+19.5%20.9%0.96−58.8%+325%0.290.61%
11
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.40—
12
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.470.40%
13
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Apparel Retail
Whole market+19.8%22.3%0.93−42.5%+357%0.38—
14
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.5%21.6%0.94−47.3%+409%0.34—
15
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.3%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.40—
16
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+20.1%22.3%0.94−55.1%+159%0.45—
17
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.5%20.8%0.97−54.9%+344%0.46—
18
TPYPTortoise North American Pipeline ETF · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+17.2%17.3%1.01−51.9%+188%0.570.40%
19
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%0.390.13%
20
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.4%18.9%0.90−72.9%+90.8%0.391.01%
21
ORIOld Republic International Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.3%22.2%0.83−47.8%+353%0.39—
22
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.5%21.3%0.83−32.0%+384%0.400.50%
23
EUFNiShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+18.1%21.8%0.88−53.2%+224%0.340.49%
24
EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · International Equity
Whole market+19.2%20.3%0.97−46.4%+190%0.370.50%
25
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+20.9%19.3%1.09−31.3%+339%0.420.45%
26
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+21.7%21.5%1.02−70.3%+174%0.480.95%
27
IGEiShares North American Natural Resources ETF · Natural Resources Equity
Whole market+18.1%22.0%0.87−60.6%+158%0.450.37%

MSI against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against MSI, compared period by period and year by year.

How do MSI's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at MSI, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than MSI with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityMSI: 15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ERIC: 1.6% a year, volatility 35.7%NOK: 8.7% a year, volatility 40.7%NTGR: −7.1% a year, volatility 45.8%SILC: −1.8% a year, volatility 57.0%LDOS: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.9%LHX: 2.8% a year, volatility 24.9%CLFD: −11.6% a year, volatility 58.0%PANW: 33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%PLTR: 51.7% a year, volatility 67.0%DGII: 28.0% a year, volatility 42.4%HPE: 32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%CSCO: 16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%AXON: 17.8% a year, volatility 50.6%UI: 15.5% a year, volatility 49.1%BKTI: 36.0% a year, volatility 69.4%EXTR: 17.7% a year, volatility 48.8%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%MSISPY (S&P 500)ERICNOKNTGRSILCLDOSLHXCLFDPANWPLTRDGIIHPECSCOAXONUIBKTIHON0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityMSI: 15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ERIC: 1.6% a year, volatility 35.7%NOK: 8.7% a year, volatility 40.7%NTGR: −7.1% a year, volatility 45.8%SILC: −1.8% a year, volatility 57.0%LDOS: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.9%LHX: 2.8% a year, volatility 24.9%CLFD: −11.6% a year, volatility 58.0%PANW: 33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%PLTR: 51.7% a year, volatility 67.0%DGII: 28.0% a year, volatility 42.4%HPE: 32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%CSCO: 16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%AXON: 17.8% a year, volatility 50.6%UI: 15.5% a year, volatility 49.1%BKTI: 36.0% a year, volatility 69.4%EXTR: 17.7% a year, volatility 48.8%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%MSISPY (S&P 500)ERICNOKNTGRSILCLDOSLHXCLFDPANWPLTRDGIIHPECSCOAXONUIBKTIHON
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc.+51.7%67.0%
BKTI BK Technologies Corporation+36.0%69.4%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.+33.4%43.4%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company+32.8%42.3%
DGII Digi International Inc.+28.0%42.4%
AXON Axon Enterprise, Inc.+17.8%50.6%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.+17.7%48.8%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.+16.9%26.1%
UI Ubiquiti Inc.+15.5%49.1%
MSI This pageMotorola Solutions, Inc.+15.2%23.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
NOK Nokia Oyj+8.7%40.7%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.+7.1%27.9%
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.+2.8%24.9%
HON Honeywell International Inc.+2.5%22.7%
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)+1.6%35.7%
SILC Silicom Ltd.−1.8%57.0%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.−7.1%45.8%
CLFD Clearfield, Inc.−11.6%58.0%
Open these 19 in EasyCompare

Has MSI consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares MSI with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than MSI helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than MSI over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc. (this page)—+4.6%+18.5%+8.8%+26.4%+8.2%+76.6%+103%+639%23.6%0.72−32.8%—$79B—
PANW QualifiedPalo Alto Networks, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−5.2%+5.9%+95.9%+97.9%+67.1%+188%+322%+1,306%43.4%0.89−48.0%—$290B—
PLTR QualifiedPalantir Technologies Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+6.1%+57.5%+28.5%+16.9%+11.8%+1,111%+703%—67.0%0.95−84.6%—$451B—
DGII QualifiedDigi International Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−2.7%+10.0%+30.0%+68.7%+88.6%+187%+243%+562%42.4%0.80−65.7%—$2.8B—
HPE QualifiedHewlett Packard Enterprise Company3/5 short2/3 long−9.1%+15.5%+95.6%+132%+145%+292%+313%+481%42.3%0.89−56.9%—$74B—
CSCO QualifiedCisco Systems, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−1.1%−6.2%+17.7%+39.7%+51.2%+117%+118%+361%26.1%0.73−42.0%—$414B—
AXON Aerospace & DefenseAxon Enterprise, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−9.7%−15.6%+2.8%−26.4%−40.9%+97.4%+127%+1,661%50.6%0.57−60.3%—$34B—
UI Communication EquipmentUbiquiti Inc.0/5 short2/3 long+2.5%+11.0%−40.5%+5.6%−13.4%+428%+105%+1,117%49.1%0.54−72.2%—$36B—
BKTI Communication EquipmentBK Technologies Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−9.2%−13.5%−26.4%−11.2%−3.9%+407%+366%+211%69.4%0.78−77.2%—$252M—
EXTR Communication EquipmentExtreme Networks, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long−0.3%−27.2%+25.4%+33.3%+7.5%+5.7%+126%+438%48.8%0.58−87.5%—$2.9B—
ERIC Communication EquipmentTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)2/5 short1/3 long+7.5%+11.3%−8.0%+12.7%+12.6%+161%+8.5%+168%35.7%0.23−66.6%—$34B—
NOK Communication EquipmentNokia Oyj1/5 short1/3 long−27.3%−23.1%−19.6%+22.4%+44.4%+170%+51.9%+96.3%40.7%0.41−62.6%—$43B—
NTGR Communication EquipmentNETGEAR, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−0.3%−9.4%−14.0%−8.2%−29.8%+108%−30.8%−33.4%45.8%0.06−78.4%—$606M—
SILC Communication EquipmentSilicom Ltd.3/5 short0/3 long−24.1%−15.0%+22.6%+165%+123%+70.1%−8.6%−7.0%57.0%0.25−84.8%—$216M—
LDOS Information Technology ServicesLeidos Holdings, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+9.3%+26.0%−10.0%−25.9%−27.7%+51.6%+40.7%+269%27.9%0.39−49.5%—$17B—
LHX Aerospace & DefenseL3Harris Technologies, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+6.0%−10.4%−22.7%−15.5%−10.6%+52.3%+14.8%+236%24.9%0.23−38.2%—$47B—
HON ConglomeratesHoneywell International Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+3.0%−6.0%−4.6%+7.7%+9.0%+30.5%+13.2%+163%22.7%0.22−43.0%—$69B—
CLFD Communication EquipmentClearfield, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−13.6%−10.2%−10.7%−6.7%−21.1%+6.0%−46.1%+51.1%58.0%0.08−82.5%—$374M—
CAMP BiotechnologyCAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation0/5 short0/3 long−18.3%+9.0%−25.7%−43.5%+1.8%—————−88.5%—$213M—
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How did MSI do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where MSI ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with MSI and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of MSI; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places MSI among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of MSI20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
MSI This pageMotorola Solutions, Inc.—−16.2%+49.1%+23.0%−3.8%+61.9%+7.4%+42.2%+29.6%+10.8%+23.9%+4.3%+1.4%+23.6%+22.6%+28.9%+16.9%+75.2%−71.6%−21.1%−8.2%+32.4%+34.1%+64.5%−41.6%−25.1%−58.5%+142%+7.8%−5.9%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 2919 of 196 of 184 of 1810 of 183 of 1810 of 176 of 176 of 1710 of 179 of 1710 of 1610 of 1613 of 165 of 152 of 147 of 145 of 1413 of 1411 of 1411 of 134 of 137 of 138 of 125 of 124 of 1110 of 115 of 105 of 1010 of 10
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF14 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.6 of 13+1.2%+23.4%+111%−24.8%+56.7%+53.7%+22.8%+29.9%+15.9%−29.0%+43.7%+113%+7.4%————————————————
PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc.3 of 5+135%+340%+167%−64.7%−22.7%————————————————————————
DGII Digi International Inc.14 of 29+43.2%+16.3%−28.9%+48.8%+30.0%+6.7%+75.6%+5.7%−30.6%+20.8%+22.5%−23.4%+28.0%−15.1%+0.5%+21.7%+12.4%−42.9%+2.9%+31.5%−39.0%+79.1%+230%−54.3%+3.9%−41.3%−6.2%−34.5%+79.0%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company3 of 10+15.5%+29.1%+9.7%+4.5%+37.4%−21.9%+23.7%−5.7%+8.6%+54.2%———————————————————
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.11 of 29+33.5%+21.0%+9.3%−22.5%+45.8%−3.5%+13.8%+16.6%+31.3%+15.1%+0.6%+28.0%+16.7%+11.6%−9.6%−15.5%+46.9%−39.8%−1.0%+59.7%−11.4%−20.3%+85.0%−27.7%−52.6%−28.6%+131%+150%+31.2%
AXON Axon Enterprise, Inc.16 of 24−4.4%+130%+55.7%+5.7%+28.1%+67.2%+67.5%+65.1%+9.3%+40.2%−34.7%+66.8%+77.6%+74.6%+8.9%+7.3%−17.0%−63.3%+89.1%+9.3%−78.0%+361%+1,938%−70.7%—————
UI Ubiquiti Inc.9 of 14+67.7%+141%−48.2%−10.0%+10.8%+48.5%+91.7%+40.7%+22.9%+82.4%+7.0%−35.2%+279%−32.5%———————————————
BKTI BK Technologies Corporation13 of 29+118%+180%−26.3%+44.6%−19.0%+1.5%−16.1%+7.8%−22.7%+27.1%−17.9%+42.5%+100%+52.6%−38.9%−42.6%+324%−76.5%−41.3%−17.9%+225%+45.3%+215%−53.2%+158%−87.0%+104%−79.7%+124%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.11 of 26−0.5%−5.1%−3.7%+16.6%+128%−6.5%+20.8%−51.3%+149%+23.3%+15.6%−49.4%+91.8%+24.7%−5.5%+7.7%+22.7%−33.9%−15.5%−11.8%−27.5%−9.2%+120%−74.7%−67.0%−6.3%———
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)15 of 29+24.0%+33.5%+13.2%−44.4%−7.2%+38.3%+0.1%+35.2%+16.7%−36.4%−18.1%+2.3%+25.5%+3.4%−9.5%+28.7%+20.9%−30.3%−40.7%+18.8%+10.6%+77.8%+162%−87.1%−53.0%−31.7%+177%+29.3%+24.7%
NOK Nokia Oyj11 of 29+50.7%+34.6%−23.9%−24.4%+59.3%+5.2%−34.9%+29.7%−0.3%−27.8%−8.4%+3.0%+105%−11.5%−50.3%−16.0%−14.5%−58.2%+93.4%+13.5%+20.0%−6.1%+12.0%−36.1%−43.0%−8.6%+219%+251%+21.6%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.11 of 22−12.0%+91.1%−19.5%−38.0%−28.1%+65.8%−24.1%−11.4%+8.1%+29.7%+17.8%+8.0%−16.5%+17.4%−0.3%+55.2%+90.1%−68.0%+35.9%+36.4%+5.9%+13.6%———————
SILC Silicom Ltd.15 of 29−9.9%−9.9%−57.1%−18.3%+23.3%+25.8%−4.8%−50.2%+74.3%+39.7%−9.6%−21.8%+160%+2.2%−5.8%+125%+97.0%−69.9%+50.8%+7.3%+217%+71.2%+431%−64.7%−75.5%−18.3%+209%−68.6%+16.8%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.10 of 19+26.5%+34.5%+4.5%+20.0%−14.2%+8.9%+88.8%−16.7%+28.4%+27.0%+35.0%−3.2%+64.2%−5.3%−22.5%−16.3%−2.8%−3.2%+13.1%——————————
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.17 of 29+42.3%+1.9%+3.7%−0.5%+15.0%−2.8%+49.2%−3.4%+40.8%+20.7%+24.0%+5.5%+46.7%+40.3%−18.4%−2.7%+31.5%−38.4%+38.0%+7.5%+40.3%+64.0%+46.1%−13.0%+0.2%+15.4%+4.6%−18.1%+36.6%
HON Honeywell International Inc.15 of 29−6.3%+10.2%+0.1%+5.0%−0.2%+23.1%+36.9%−7.5%+35.2%+14.3%+4.9%+10.6%+45.8%+18.5%+3.8%+37.8%+21.9%−45.9%+37.5%+23.1%+6.6%+7.3%+41.6%−28.0%−27.7%−17.2%+31.0%+15.1%+16.7%
CLFD Clearfield, Inc.14 of 29−6.0%+6.6%−69.1%+11.5%+242%+77.3%+40.5%−19.0%−40.8%+54.4%+8.9%−39.2%+351%−41.0%+87.9%+55.8%+150%+3.0%−29.4%+5.9%−34.8%−6.3%+46.4%−51.4%−52.1%−58.1%+218%−36.0%+52.6%
CAMP CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation1 of 1+17.4%————————————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How MSI has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were MSI's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents MSI's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means MSI fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringMSI fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−93.8%−42.6%Mar 2000Mar 20099 yearsJul 201910.3 years
No named crash−56.6%+7.1%Jul 1997Oct 199815 monthsJun 19998 months
No named crash−50.8%—Oct 1987Oct 1987Under a monthMay 19902.6 years
No named crash−47.6%—Jul 1990Jan 19916 monthsAug 199219 months
No named crash−44.8%+24.6%Sep 1995Nov 199614 monthsJul 19978 months

How did MSI do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far MSI, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than MSI.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
MSI This pageMotorola Solutions, Inc.—−2.4%−25.0%−32.8%−18.2%−4.9%−16.2%−16.5%−1.2%−83.5%−85.2%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.1 of 6−2.1%−30.6%−46.8%−29.1%−3.3%−40.2%————
PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc.0 of 2−9.6%−63.1%————————
DGII Digi International Inc.2 of 10−4.7%−26.1%−57.4%−30.9%−4.7%−39.4%−26.9%−2.7%−61.8%−84.3%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company0 of 5−7.2%−30.5%−45.3%−27.4%−9.6%—————
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.4 of 10−1.4%−35.4%−29.1%−17.5%−5.3%−22.8%−16.6%−3.1%−60.0%−89.3%
AXON Axon Enterprise, Inc.2 of 9−4.9%−44.3%−40.8%−41.9%−3.1%−43.5%−15.9%−4.3%−85.8%—
UI Ubiquiti Inc.2 of 6−3.5%−26.5%−22.7%−17.6%−14.4%−26.2%————
BKTI BK Technologies Corporation1 of 10−7.3%−31.5%−57.0%−23.5%−1.4%−31.8%−26.5%−7.5%−88.9%−95.4%
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.1 of 10−4.6%−43.9%−71.0%−23.0%−26.4%−46.8%−30.5%−4.8%−75.8%−98.0%
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)3 of 10−2.3%−53.5%−31.3%−13.3%−7.5%−19.2%−31.9%−0.8%−71.4%−98.6%
NOK Nokia Oyj5 of 10−2.1%−32.1%−42.4%−9.7%−2.8%−23.3%−21.1%0.0%−78.1%−82.1%
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.2 of 9−4.2%−42.5%−31.1%−26.6%−17.9%−22.7%−41.0%−3.0%−76.6%—
SILC Silicom Ltd.0 of 10−4.0%−35.4%−35.9%−26.5%−6.6%−25.1%−37.4%−1.8%−88.1%−98.3%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.3 of 9−1.9%−19.8%−40.9%−27.2%−6.4%−30.5%−31.7%0.0%−20.9%—
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.3 of 10−2.6%−22.2%−33.2%−26.3%−4.9%−19.9%−22.8%−2.9%−56.1%−45.2%
HON Honeywell International Inc.5 of 10−1.4%−22.7%−42.2%−22.1%−6.8%−14.4%−25.3%−1.8%−62.2%−65.8%
CLFD Clearfield, Inc.2 of 10−17.4%−42.1%−25.1%−36.0%−5.5%−37.0%−36.4%−0.8%−59.9%−97.0%
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How closely does MSI move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares MSI with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than MSI's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
MSI This pageMotorola Solutions, Inc.97%62%1.570.84
AXON Axon Enterprise, Inc.106%26%4.080.98
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.118%49%2.441.14
BKTI BK Technologies Corporation60%35%1.680.92
UI Ubiquiti Inc.150%125%1.191.35
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company116%102%1.141.31
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.72%65%1.110.70
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.101%96%1.060.97
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.78%73%1.060.73
DGII Digi International Inc.137%137%1.001.29
NOK Nokia Oyj63%72%0.871.01
EXTR Extreme Networks, Inc.144%172%0.841.88
HON Honeywell International Inc.90%118%0.771.00
ERIC Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)73%108%0.670.71
CLFD Clearfield, Inc.101%162%0.621.57
SILC Silicom Ltd.72%125%0.581.16
NTGR NETGEAR, Inc.45%124%0.361.02
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What diversifies MSI?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with MSI's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing MSI with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which MSI lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% MSI and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022200820072006200220012000199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc. (this page)1.00+103%0.72−16.2%−3.8%−71.6%−21.1%−8.2%−41.6%−25.1%−58.5%−5.9%25.1%+15.3%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.47+119%1.48+27.1%+3.8%———————21.0%+16.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.38+225%1.34+32.8%+6.0%−20.8%−7.4%—————21.1%+18.0%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.27+304%0.94+49.2%−33.5%−44.7%+6.0%−6.7%−47.0%−14.6%——22.9%+20.6%
IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF0.46+107%0.94+27.0%−16.3%−36.1%+11.1%+19.9%−24.0%−14.3%——21.7%+16.0%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.29+178%0.94+7.9%+64.4%−39.0%+36.8%+18.0%−14.8%−18.2%+24.4%—22.1%+17.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.27+120%0.93+63.7%−0.8%+4.9%+30.4%+22.6%————21.2%+16.5%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.43+99.4%0.93+45.4%−3.7%———————21.6%+15.8%
VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF0.36+112%0.91+32.7%−14.2%———————21.9%+16.3%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022200820072006200220012000199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
MSI Motorola Solutions, Inc. (this page)1.00+103%0.72−16.2%−3.8%−71.6%−21.1%−8.2%−41.6%−25.1%−58.5%−5.9%25.1%+15.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.27+471%1.54+76.3%+54.1%−39.6%−9.8%−5.8%−8.3%−2.5%+108%+29.1%22.1%+20.4%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.02+2,780%1.43+220%+1.3%−20.5%−25.7%−26.0%−65.1%−25.6%−2.3%—23.1%+34.0%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.36+397%1.41+44.5%+51.8%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%−27.2%+4.9%+61.2%+96.3%22.4%+19.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.38+1,452%1.41+121%+17.0%−15.2%+2.1%+38.9%−9.4%+73.7%−71.1%—24.8%+29.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.21+660%1.39+19.2%+86.6%———————22.3%+22.6%
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Common questions

What was MSI's worst drawdown?

MSI's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 93.8%, from March 2000 to March 2009. It took about ten years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were MSI's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, MSI's best year was 1999, when it returned 142%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -71.6%.

Is there a better investment than MSI?

Among MSI's popular alternatives, PLTR, PANW and CSCO were ahead of MSI in most short and long periods. Few investments have done better on both counts: only 38 of the 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than MSI with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them NVS, RY and TD.

Is MSI more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. MSI's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MSI's return lands within 23.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is MSI's Sharpe ratio?

MSI's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so MSI earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is MSI with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, MSI's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.55 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MSI instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MSI holding.

What are the best alternatives to MSI?

Of the 18 popular alternatives we compared, five outperformed MSI in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: PANW, PLTR and DGII.

Did MSI outperform the S&P 500?

MSI finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -16.2%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did MSI do in stock market crashes?

MSI fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in five of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the February 2018 volatility shock, when MSI fell 4.9% and the S&P 500 fell 6.5%.

What diversifies MSI?

These had a low correlation with MSI over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.47), DXJ (correlation 0.38) and SMH (correlation 0.27); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.27), CLS (correlation -0.02) and MCK (correlation 0.36). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

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