MPWR vs. MU: Monolithic Power Systems vs. Micron Stock Comparison
How do Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) and Micron (MU) 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
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) and Micron (MU) are both classified in the Semiconductors sub-industry within the broader Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Monolithic Power Systems Inc. | Micron Technology 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 | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Capitalization | 58.06 billion USD | 780.68 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | November 19, 2004 | June 1, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 42.29% | 208.53% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 42.13% | 115.89% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 20.48% | 58.28% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Micron (MU) is heavily traded at around 27.63M 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.
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 57.22% | 83.85% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.67 | 2.44 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.65% | -57.63% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 776.23K | 27.63M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.66 | 2.44 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.98 | 3.87 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Micron (MU) at 88.26% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 24.47% also sits in the top quartile.
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%
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
88.26%
- MU
- 88.26%
- Max
- 52.82%
- Q3
- 22.26%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 1.29%
- Min
- -16.89%
Net Margin (TTM)
Micron (MU) at 63.80% 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.
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%
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
63.80%
- MU
- 63.80%
- Max
- 63.80%
- Q3
- 28.36%
- Median
- 11.44%
- Q1
- 0.90%
- Min
- -37.77%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Micron (MU) at 80.68% turns sales into operating profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 29.75% operates around its industry’s norm.
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%
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
80.68%
- MU
- 80.68%
- Max
- 58.66%
- Q3
- 30.23%
- Median
- 15.91%
- Q1
- 7.54%
- Min
- -25.74%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 24.47% | 88.26% |
| ROA (TTM) | 15.52% | 44.56% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 23.89% | 63.80% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 29.75% | 80.68% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 55.26% | 80.72% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both companies are growing quickly, but Micron (MU) at 256.33% is the standout with revenue growth above its industry range; Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 26.43% also sits in the top quartile.
EPS Growth
Micron (MU) at 879.31% delivers above-range EPS growth, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at -64.85% falls into the bottom quartile — a wide split in earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 26.43% | 256.33% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 15.86% | 104.65% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -64.85% | 879.31% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 12.43% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 3.70 and Micron (MU) at 3.31 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
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
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
3.31
- Max
- 10.33
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 3.33
- MU
- 3.31
- Q1
- 2.35
- Min
- 1.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.01 and Micron (MU) at 0.04 keep leverage in the lower quartile of their industries, with less balance-sheet debt relative to equity than most peers.
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
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
0.04
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.27
- Q1
- 0.04
- MU
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.70 | 3.31 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.01 | 0.04 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.92 | -0.35 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.67% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Micron (MU) at 0.09% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, MPWR the richer one.
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%
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
0.09%
- Max
- 1.37%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- MU
- 0.09%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Micron (MU) at 0.71% 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.
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%
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
0.71%
- Max
- 49.64%
- Q3
- 21.71%
- MU
- 0.71%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.67% | 0.09% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 41.65% | 0.71% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Micron (MU) at 9.28 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 65.27 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for MU, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
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
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
9.28
- Max
- 110.34
- Q3
- 66.81
- Median
- 37.02
- Q1
- 23.96
- MU
- 9.28
- Min
- 8.12
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Micron (MU) at 5.86 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.
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
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
5.86
- Max
- 21.42
- Q3
- 12.27
- MU
- 5.86
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Micron (MU) at 5.64 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 15.56 prices above its benchmark range — MPWR looks rich relative to book.
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
MU
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
5.64
- Max
- 14.06
- Q3
- 7.44
- MU
- 5.64
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.20
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | MU |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 65.27 | 9.28 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 15.53 | 5.86 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 15.56 | 5.64 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 3.73% |