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KLAC vs. MPWR: KLA vs. Monolithic Power Systems Stock Comparison

How do KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) both belong to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, though KLAC is classified under Semiconductor Materials & Equipment while MPWR falls under Semiconductors.

Company profile comparison for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Profile ItemKLACMPWR
NameKLA CorporationMonolithic Power Systems Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductor Materials & EquipmentSemiconductors
Market Capitalization180.45 billion USD58.06 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateOctober 8, 1980November 19, 2004
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

KLAC
MPWR
GSPC
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Total Return (1Y)26.92%42.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)44.97%42.13%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)30.55%20.48%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

KLAC
MPWR
GSPC
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

KLA (KLAC) is heavily traded at around 10.66M shares per day, whereas Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) sees a more moderate 776.23K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.

Risk profile metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)63.92%57.22%
Beta (5Y)1.511.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-56.93%-51.65%
Avg. Volume (3M)10.66M776.23K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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KLAC and MPWR are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.350.66
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.500.98

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but KLA (KLAC) at 91.38% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 24.47% also sits in the top quartile.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

91.38%

KLAC
91.38%
Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.47%

Max
52.82%
MPWR
24.47%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 36.25% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 23.89%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

36.25%

Max
63.80%
KLAC
36.25%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

23.89%

Max
63.80%
Q3
28.36%
MPWR
23.89%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 45.01% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 29.75%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

45.01%

Max
58.66%
KLAC
45.01%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

29.75%

Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
MPWR
29.75%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
ROE (TTM)91.38%24.47%
ROA (TTM)22.27%15.52%
Net Margin (TTM)36.25%23.89%
Operating Margin (TTM)45.01%29.75%
Gross Margin (TTM)61.47%55.26%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 26.43% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while KLA (KLAC) at 11.71% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for MPWR.

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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

KLA (KLAC) at 20.51% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at -64.85% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Revenue Growth (YoY)11.71%26.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)8.96%15.86%
EPS Growth (YoY)20.51%-64.85%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)14.87%12.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both KLA (KLAC) at 2.76 and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 3.70 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.76

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
KLAC
2.76
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.70

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
MPWR
3.70
Median
3.33
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while KLA (KLAC) at 0.92 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.92

Max
1.46
KLAC
0.92
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.01

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
MPWR
0.01
Min
0.00
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.763.70
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.920.01
Net Debt / EBITDA0.19-0.92

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.67% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while KLA (KLAC) at 0.65% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, MPWR the richer one.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.65%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
KLAC
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.67%

Max
1.37%
MPWR
0.67%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 21.03% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 41.65% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

21.03%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
KLAC
21.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

41.65%

Max
49.64%
MPWR
41.65%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.65%0.67%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)21.03%41.65%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both KLA (KLAC) at 34.71 and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 65.27 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

34.71

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
KLAC
34.71
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

65.27

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
MPWR
65.27
Median
37.02
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Both KLA (KLAC) at 12.44 and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 15.53 command a richer price per dollar of sales than most peers, sitting in the upper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

12.44

Max
21.42
KLAC
12.44
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

15.53

Max
21.42
MPWR
15.53
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both KLA (KLAC) at 27.67 and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 15.56 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

27.67

KLAC
27.67
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20

MPWR

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

15.56

MPWR
15.56
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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KLA (KLAC) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for KLA (KLAC) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
MetricKLACMPWR
P/E Ratio (TTM)34.7165.27
P/S Ratio (TTM)12.4415.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)27.6715.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.56%0.87%