HIMX vs CRUS vs MTSI vs DIOD vs MPWR

For growth investors, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is the stronger pick with 32. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 2% for Himax Technologies, Inc. (HIMX). Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) offers the better valuation at 21. 9x trailing P/E (18. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Himax Technologies, Inc. (HIMX) a "Buy" — based on 20 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.

On trailing P/E, Cirrus Logic, Inc.

(CRUS) is the cheapest at 21. 9x versus Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. at 123. 6x. On forward P/E, Cirrus Logic, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Cirrus Logic, Inc. wins at 1. 06x versus Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. 's 2. 48x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) delivered a total return of +513. 6%, compared to +45. 3% for Himax Technologies, Inc. (HIMX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MPWR returned +24. 9% versus HIMX's +87. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cirrus Logic, Inc.

(CRUS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 12β versus Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. 's 2. 28β — meaning MPWR is approximately 104% more volatile than CRUS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPWR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 66% for Himax Technologies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is pulling ahead at 32. 6% versus -8. 2% for Himax Technologies, Inc. (HIMX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Diodes Incorporated grew EPS 50. 5% year-over-year, compared to -170. 2% for MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MPWR leads at 15. 9% 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.

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

(MPWR) is the more profitable company, earning 22. 1% net margin versus -5. 6% for MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 22. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MPWR leads at 26. 1% versus 2. 4% for DIOD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MPWR leads at 55. 2%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 06x versus Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. 's 2. 48x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) trades at 18. 9x forward P/E versus 76. 9x for MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. — 58. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MPWR: 2. 5% to $1615. 00.

In this comparison, HIMX (2.

3% yield), MPWR (0. 4% yield) pay a dividend. CRUS, MTSI, DIOD do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Cirrus Logic, Inc.

(CRUS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 12), +421. 3% 10Y return). Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPWR) carries a higher beta of 2. 28 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CRUS: +421. 3%, MPWR: +24. 9%), 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.

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: HIMX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CRUS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MTSI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; DIOD is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MPWR is a mid-cap high-growth stock. HIMX pays a dividend while CRUS, MTSI, DIOD, MPWR do 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.