MPWR vs. QCOM: Monolithic Power Systems vs. QUALCOMM Stock Comparison
How do Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) and QUALCOMM (QCOM) 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 QUALCOMM (QCOM) 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 | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Monolithic Power Systems Inc. | QUALCOMM Incorporated |
| 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 | 176.99 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | November 19, 2004 | December 13, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 42.29% | 4.41% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 42.13% | 15.75% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 20.48% | 3.17% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
QUALCOMM (QCOM) is heavily traded at around 12.25M 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 | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 57.22% | 55.42% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.67 | 1.73 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.65% | -44.29% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 776.23K | 12.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.66 | 0.00 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.98 | 0.00 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 24.47% and QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 52.82% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
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%
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
52.82%
- QCOM
- 52.82%
- Max
- 52.82%
- Q3
- 22.26%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 1.29%
- Min
- -16.89%
Net Margin (TTM)
QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 31.61% 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%
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
31.61%
- Max
- 63.80%
- QCOM
- 31.61%
- Q3
- 28.36%
- Median
- 11.44%
- Q1
- 0.90%
- Min
- -37.77%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 29.75% and QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 15.41% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
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%
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
15.41%
- Max
- 58.66%
- Q3
- 30.23%
- Median
- 15.91%
- QCOM
- 15.41%
- Q1
- 7.54%
- Min
- -25.74%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 24.47% | 52.82% |
| ROA (TTM) | 15.52% | 10.13% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 23.89% | 31.61% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 29.75% | 15.41% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 55.26% | 53.10% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 26.43% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at -2.63% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in revenue momentum.
EPS Growth
QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 153.49% 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 | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 26.43% | -2.63% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 15.86% | 6.38% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -64.85% | 153.49% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 12.43% | 25.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 3.70 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 1.86 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for QCOM.
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
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
1.86
- Max
- 10.33
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 2.35
- QCOM
- 1.86
- Min
- 1.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 0.53 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
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
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
0.53
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.65
- QCOM
- 0.53
- Median
- 0.27
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.70 | 1.86 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.01 | 0.53 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.92 | 0.78 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 0.67% earns its spot in the top quartile of its industry’s yields; QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 2.31% is past the top of its own peer range — territory where a dividend-safety check matters more than the headline number.
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%
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
2.31%
- QCOM
- 2.31%
- Max
- 1.37%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) at 41.65% and QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 28.50% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.
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%
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
28.50%
- Max
- 49.64%
- QCOM
- 28.50%
- Q3
- 21.71%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.67% | 2.31% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 41.65% | 28.50% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 13.02 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 QCOM, 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
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
13.02
- Max
- 110.34
- Q3
- 66.81
- Median
- 37.02
- Q1
- 23.96
- QCOM
- 13.02
- Min
- 8.12
P/S Ratio (TTM)
QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 4.10 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
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
4.10
- Max
- 21.42
- Q3
- 12.27
- Median
- 5.76
- QCOM
- 4.10
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 5.83 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
QCOM
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group
5.83
- Max
- 14.06
- Q3
- 7.44
- QCOM
- 5.83
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.20
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MPWR | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 65.27 | 13.02 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 15.53 | 4.10 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 15.56 | 5.83 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 5.15% |