LRCX vs. MPWR: Lam Research vs. Monolithic Power Systems Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Lam Research (LRCX) 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

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

Company profile comparison for Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Profile Item	LRCX	MPWR
Name	Lam Research Corp.	Monolithic Power Systems Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Industry	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-Industry	Semiconductor Materials & Equipment	Semiconductors
Market Capitalization	250.84 billion USD	58.06 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	May 4, 1984	November 19, 2004
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

LRCX

MPWR

GSPC

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Total Return (1Y)	36.98%	42.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	50.75%	42.13%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	29.74%	20.48%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

LRCX

MPWR

GSPC

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	68.85%	57.22%
Beta (5Y)	2.02	1.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-57.22%	-51.65%
Avg. Volume (3M)	9.82M	776.23K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

LRCX 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.47	0.66
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.69	0.98

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Lam Research (LRCX) at 70.12% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 24.47% also sits in the top quartile.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

70.12%

LRCX: 70.12%
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%

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 32.34% 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.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

32.34%

Max: 63.80%
LRCX: 32.34%
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%

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 39.95% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 29.75%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

39.95%

Max: 58.66%
LRCX: 39.95%
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%

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
ROE (TTM)	70.12%	24.47%
ROA (TTM)	25.01%	15.52%
Net Margin (TTM)	32.34%	23.89%
Operating Margin (TTM)	39.95%	29.75%
Gross Margin (TTM)	51.05%	55.26%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 26.02% and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 26.43% sit in the top peer quartile for revenue growth, so each is growing its top line faster than typical industry peers.

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Lam Research (LRCX) at 38.80% 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.

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Revenue Growth (YoY)	26.02%	26.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	10.06%	15.86%
EPS Growth (YoY)	38.80%	-64.85%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	20.15%	12.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 2.48 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.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.48

Max: 10.33
Q3: 5.62
Median: 3.33
LRCX: 2.48
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

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 industry quartile, while Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.27 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.27

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.65
LRCX: 0.27
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

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.48	3.70
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.27	0.01
Net Debt / EBITDA	-0.37	-0.92

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.67% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.60% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, MPWR the richer one.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.60%

Max: 1.37%
Q3: 0.65%
LRCX: 0.60%
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%

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 16.54% 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.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

16.54%

Max: 49.64%
Q3: 21.71%
LRCX: 16.54%
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%

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.60%	0.67%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.54%	41.65%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 29.87 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.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

29.87

Max: 110.34
Q3: 66.81
Median: 37.02
LRCX: 29.87
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

Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 9.60 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 15.53 sits in the pricier quartile — MPWR costs more per dollar of sales.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

9.60

Max: 21.42
Q3: 12.27
LRCX: 9.60
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

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) at 18.00 and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 15.56 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

18.00

LRCX: 18.00
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

Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Lam Research (LRCX) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
Metric	LRCX	MPWR
P/E Ratio (TTM)	29.87	65.27
P/S Ratio (TTM)	9.60	15.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	18.00	15.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.81%	0.87%