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PXLW vs SIMO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Semiconductors
PXLW vs SIMO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $36M | $2.04B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $693K | $886M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-8M | $123M |
| Gross Margin | 85.0% | 48.3% |
| Operating Margin | -16.7% | 10.5% |
| Forward P/E | — | 29.9x |
| Total Debt | $298K | $0.00 |
| Cash & Equiv. | $11M | $202M |
PXLW vs SIMO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW) | 100 | 13.0 | -87.0% |
| Silicon Motion Tech… (SIMO) | 100 | 538.5 | +438.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PXLW vs SIMO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PXLW is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 1.83
- Lower volatility, beta 1.83, Low D/E 4.0%, current ratio 2.51x
- Beta 1.83, current ratio 2.51x
SIMO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 10.2%, EPS growth 38.3%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.2%
- 5.3% 10Y total return vs PXLW's -73.6%
- 10.2% revenue growth vs PXLW's -98.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.2% revenue growth vs PXLW's -98.4% | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.8% margin vs PXLW's -11.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.83 vs SIMO's 1.90 | |
| Dividends | 3.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +359.6% vs PXLW's -8.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.2% ROA vs PXLW's -15.6%, ROIC 12.4% vs -106.5% |
PXLW vs SIMO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PXLW vs SIMO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SIMO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SIMO is the larger business by revenue, generating $886M annually — 1278.0x PXLW's $693,000. SIMO is the more profitable business, keeping 13.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PXLW's -11.9%. On growth, SIMO holds the edge at +45.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $693,000 | $886M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$10M | $123M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$8M | $123M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$21M | $6M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +85.0% | +48.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -16.7% | +10.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -11.9% | +13.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -30.4% | +0.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.6% | +45.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +24.4% | +7.4% |
Valuation Metrics
SIMO leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $36M | $2.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $25M | $1.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -3.74x | 16.62x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 29.86x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.37x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 14.90x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 51.30x | 2.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.12x | 2.45x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 324.67x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SIMO leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SIMO delivers a 15.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $-34 for PXLW. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SIMO scores 5/9 vs PXLW's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -33.9% | +15.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -15.6% | +11.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -106.5% | +12.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -26.6% | +10.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$11M | -$202M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $11M | $202M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $298,000 | $0 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -886.45x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SIMO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SIMO five years ago would be worth $36,741 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,396 for PXLW. Over the past 12 months, SIMO leads with a +359.6% total return vs PXLW's -8.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SIMO at 60.3% vs PXLW's -30.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -18.0% | +159.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -8.3% | +359.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -66.6% | +311.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -86.0% | +267.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -73.6% | +533.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -30.6% | +60.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PXLW and SIMO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PXLW is the less volatile stock with a 1.83 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SIMO's 1.90 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SIMO currently trades 96.4% from its 52-week high vs PXLW's 36.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.83x | 1.90x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.42 | $251.71 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.67 | $52.01 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +36.4% | +96.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.9 | 85.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 43K | 743K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PXLW as "Buy" and SIMO as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 167.4% upside for PXLW (target: $15) vs 3.5% for SIMO (target: $251). SIMO is the only dividend payer here at 3.30% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.00 | $251.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 31 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +3.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $8.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.2% |
SIMO leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
PXLW vs SIMO: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PXLW or SIMO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) is the stronger pick with 10.
2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -98. 4% for Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW). Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) offers the better valuation at 16. 6x trailing P/E (29. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — PXLW or SIMO?
Over the past 5 years, Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) delivered a total return of +267.
4%, compared to -86. 0% for Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SIMO returned +533. 8% versus PXLW's -73. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — PXLW or SIMO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pixelworks, Inc.
(PXLW) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 83β versus Silicon Motion Technology Corporation's 1. 90β — meaning SIMO is approximately 4% more volatile than PXLW relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — PXLW or SIMO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) is pulling ahead at 10.
2% versus -98. 4% for Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Pixelworks, Inc. grew EPS 74. 5% year-over-year, compared to 38. 3% for Silicon Motion Technology Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, SIMO leads at -2. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — PXLW or SIMO?
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) is the more profitable company, earning 13.
9% net margin versus -1190. 3% for Pixelworks, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SIMO leads at 10. 5% versus -1667. 5% for PXLW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PXLW leads at 85. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is PXLW or SIMO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PXLW: 167.
4% to $15. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — PXLW or SIMO?
In this comparison, SIMO (3.
3% yield) pays a dividend. PXLW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is PXLW or SIMO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (3.
3% yield, +533. 8% 10Y return). Pixelworks, Inc. (PXLW) carries a higher beta of 1. 83 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SIMO: +533. 8%, PXLW: -73. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between PXLW and SIMO?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PXLW is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SIMO is a small-cap deep-value stock. SIMO pays a dividend while PXLW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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