SMTC vs POWI

For growth investors, Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) is the stronger pick with 5. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 7% for Semtech Corporation (SMTC). Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI) offers the better valuation at 184. 2x trailing P/E (55. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Semtech Corporation (SMTC) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 forward P/E, Power Integrations, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 55. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, Semtech Corporation (SMTC) delivered a total return of +89.

8%, compared to -8. 3% for Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMTC returned +460. 9% versus POWI's +232. 7%. 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), Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 08β versus Semtech Corporation's 2. 73β — meaning SMTC is approximately 31% more volatile than POWI relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) is pulling ahead at 5. 9% versus 4. 7% for Semtech Corporation (SMTC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Semtech Corporation grew EPS 86. 7% year-over-year, compared to -30. 4% for Power Integrations, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SMTC leads at 7. 1% 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.

Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 0% net margin versus -17. 8% for Semtech Corporation — meaning it keeps 5. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SMTC leads at 6. 8% versus 4. 8% for POWI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — POWI leads at 54. 5%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) trades at 55. 5x forward P/E versus 71. 7x for Semtech Corporation — 16. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for POWI: 10. 0% to $79. 00.

In this comparison, POWI (1.

2% yield) pays a dividend. SMTC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Power Integrations, Inc.

(POWI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 2% yield, +232. 7% 10Y return). Semtech Corporation (SMTC) carries a higher beta of 2. 73 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (POWI: +232. 7%, SMTC: +460. 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.

POWI pays a dividend while SMTC 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.