Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN) vs Plexus Corp. (PLXS)

MAIN leads on 10 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Main Street Capital Corporation and Plexus Corp. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnMAIN vs PLXS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 19y
MAIN +1569.9%PLXS +828.6%MAIN compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $1002011201520192023$1,670$929
MAIN PLXS

MAIN vs PLXS: by the numbers

  • PLXS is the larger company ($6.81B vs $4.97B market cap).
  • MAIN trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.26 vs 37.20 P/E).
  • MAIN converts more revenue to profit (58.59% vs 4.35% net margin).
  • MAIN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.32% vs 4.36% CAGR).
  • MAIN pays a dividend (8.04% yield) while PLXS does not currently pay one.

Which is better, MAIN or PLXS?

Metric tally: MAIN 10 · PLXS 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMAIN(lower P/E)
GrowthMAIN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPLXS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMAINPLXS
P/E ratio11.2637.20
Forward P/E14.0431.04
P/S ratio6.661.62
P/B ratio1.574.67
PEG ratio0.170.40
EV / EBITDA23.07
FCF yield1.09%

Profitability

MetricMAINPLXS
Gross margin100.00%10.05%
Operating margin80.71%5.17%
Net margin58.59%4.35%
ROE13.78%12.59%
ROIC8.64%11.13%

Dividends

MetricMAINPLXS
Dividend yield8.04%
Payout ratio77.90%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMAINPLXS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.32%4.36%
EPS CAGR (5Y)65.11%10.10%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-18.53%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.57%24.12%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MAIN or PLXS?
It depends on your goal. value: MAIN (lower P/E); growth: MAIN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PLXS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MAIN leads 10 to 3.
Is MAIN or PLXS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MAIN is cheaper: MAIN trades at a 11.26 P/E and PLXS at 37.20.
Which has grown faster, MAIN or PLXS?
Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — MAIN at a 16.32% CAGR versus PLXS at 4.36%.
Does MAIN or PLXS pay a bigger dividend?
MAIN pays a dividend (8.04% yield) while PLXS does not currently pay one.
Is MAIN or PLXS more profitable?
MAIN runs the higher net margin — MAIN at 58.59% versus PLXS at 4.35%.
Which has been the better investment, MAIN or PLXS?
Over the past 10-year, PLXS delivered the higher annualized total return — MAIN at 13.04% versus PLXS at 18.94%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 25, 2026.