Relative Intelligence · Semiconductors

How Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on MPWR alone. It places MPWR (Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where MPWR stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: MPWR's full trading record, from November 2004 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowOver the past 6 months, MPWR fell 16.0% while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. The slide is MPWR's own: it is 25.9% below its high, against 1.3% for the S&P 500. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?MPWR fell 5.9% over the past 3 months, 3.7 points behind the semiconductors ETF SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF), which fell 2.2%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its semiconductor peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: ADI (Analog Devices) rose 6.9%, while STM (STMicroelectronics) fell 25.8%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsMPWR has outpaced the market, rising 21.9% over the past year against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. The same gap shows up over 3 years (204% against 89.3%). MPWR's 51.6% fall from August 2024 to April 2025 took 6 months to heal. the S&P 500 fell 10.6% over those same dates. By year ↓
- Long termMPWR turned $10,000 into $176,000 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. MPWR's 10-year return of 1,659% puts it ahead of 98% of the stocks worth at least $300 million with that much history. The S&P 500 returned 321%. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashMPWR fell harder than the S&P 500 in five of six sell-offs. The Covid crash was the exception: MPWR fell 27.9%, less than the S&P 500's 33.7%. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, MPWR has a correlation of 0.58 over 5 years, more closely than 87% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is some diversification, but not a hedge. Over 10 years, MPWR's beta versus the S&P 500 was 1.31: in the S&P 500's rising months it gained 1.6 times as much as the index, and in falling months it lost 1.1 times as much. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- NVDA (NVIDIA), TSM (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) and AVGO (Broadcom) earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. NVDA returned 58.0% a year at 51.9% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- KLAC (KLA, semiconductor equipment) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF, semiconductors) earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. KLAC returned 38.7% a year at 46.7% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%.
- Whole market
- 265 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them NVDA (NVIDIA), TSM (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) and AVGO (Broadcom).
How much would $10,000 in MPWR have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in MPWR over the past 21 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of MPWR over the same span and MPWR's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
Note: MPWR began trading on November 19, 2004, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust. It covers the most recent 21 years of MPWR's record, starting at the end of September 2005.
- $10,000 invested in MPWR at the end of September 2005 would have grown to $1,863,445 by September 2026, more than the $90,973 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of MPWR, and NVDA finished highest, at $8,776,570.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2005 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 6 of the 1,562 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MPWR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- NVDA$9M+87,666% total · +38.1% a year
- XPO$5M+45,868% total · +33.9% a year
- FIX$2M+23,295% total · +29.7% a year
- BKNG$2M+21,480% total · +29.2% a year
- AAPL$2M+20,713% total · +28.9% a year
- MPWR$2M+18,534% total · +28.3% a year
- TSM$1M+10,387% total · +24.8% a year
- AMD$242,758+2,328% total · +16.4% a year
- ADI$173,695+1,637% total · +14.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$90,973+810% total · +11.1% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 369 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MPWR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% a year
- VRT$100,677+907% total · +58.7% a year
- AVGO$79,117+691% total · +51.2% a year
- KLAC$61,203+512% total · +43.7% a year
- AMD$59,452+495% total · +42.8% a year
- TSM$43,622+336% total · +34.3% a year
- SITM$31,935+219% total · +26.1% a year
- MPWR$28,834+188% total · +23.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- MXL$18,338+83.4% total · +12.9% a year
MPWR at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
Note: MPWR began trading on November 19, 2004, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust.
- MPWR is still 25.9% below its all-time high.
- MPWR's deepest decline since it began trading in 2004 was 72.3%, from August to December 2008. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 21 full calendar years, MPWR's best was 2020, when it returned 107%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 41.3%. It lost money in six of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $61B
- Industry
- Semiconductors
- Price history from
- November 2004
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +21.9%total return
- Past 3 years
- +204%+44.8% a year
- Past 5 years
- +159%+20.9% a year
- Past 10 years
- +1,659%+33.2% a year
- Best calendar year
- +107%2020
- Worst calendar year
- −41.3%2008
- Losing years
- 6 of 21full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 55.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.62return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −72.3%Aug 2008 to Dec 2008
- From its all-time high
- −25.9%below the peak
MPWR against the whole market
Where MPWR ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does MPWR rank among all stocks?
This section ranks MPWR on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how MPWR stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- MPWR's 10-year return ranks in the top 2% of the 2,202 stocks worth at least $300 million with 10 years of history.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | MPWR | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +21.9% | 1,190 of 3,287 | top 36% |
| 3-year return | +204% | 393 of 3,017 | top 13% |
| 5-year return | +159% | 423 of 2,893 | top 15% |
| 10-year return | +1,659% | 48 of 2,202 | top 2% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 55.4% | 2,135 of 2,893 | bottom 27% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.62 | 629 of 2,893 | top 22% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −51.6% | 521 of 2,187 | top 24% |
What has beaten MPWR on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). MPWR sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than MPWR with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 248 stocks and 17 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than MPWR over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 7% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half MPWR's swings, FIX has the best return for its risk: 77.0% a year at 46.7% volatility, 16% less than MPWR's 55.4%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.46 against 0.62 for MPWR. BELFB earned the most, 78.0% a year, while still swinging less than MPWR (52.1% against 55.4%).
- Among MPWR's popular alternatives, NVDA, AVGO and TSM are in the region. NVDA earned 58.0% a year against 20.9% a year for MPWR, at 51.9% volatility, 6% less than MPWR's 55.4%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to MPWR; faint dots are 88 more of the 265 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than MPWR?
Investments that beat MPWR over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among MPWR's popular alternatives, NVDA, TSM and AVGO earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. NVDA returned 58.0% a year at 51.9% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, KLAC (semiconductor equipment) and SMH (semiconductors) earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. KLAC returned 38.7% a year at 46.7% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%.
- Across the whole market, 265 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them NVDA, TSM and AVGO.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat MPWR over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks MPWR's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than MPWR follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than MPWR's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× MPWR's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than MPWR's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with MPWR?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +20.9% | 55.4% | 0.62 | −51.6% | +1,659% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.58 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 4 shownThe investments people most often weigh against MPWR. 4 of 21 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +58.0% | 51.9% | 1.14 | −66.3% | +13,019% | 0.53 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +31.5% | 38.5% | 0.91 | −56.6% | +1,505% | 0.50 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +35.7% | 57.6% | 0.82 | −65.5% | +7,583% | 0.62 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatility | +48.3% | 44.5% | 1.11 | −48.3% | +2,380% | 0.54 | — | ||
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Semiconductors and the categories next to it (Semiconductor Equipment, Computer Hardware, Communications Equipment, Software), plus MPWR's specific themes. 34 of 136 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +38.7% | 46.7% | 0.94 | −46.3% | +2,534% | 0.43 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +33.4% | 36.9% | 0.97 | −45.3% | +1,665% | 0.69 | 0.35% | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +49.0% | 49.0% | 1.06 | −52.2% | +3,439% | 0.51 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +57.4% | 48.7% | 1.18 | −57.0% | +2,698% | 0.63 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +68.1% | 57.1% | 1.20 | −57.6% | +5,243% | 0.40 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatility | +20.9% | 35.3% | 0.71 | −58.1% | +691% | 0.27 | — | ||
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 369 of 3,476 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | 0.00 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.45 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.12 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +39.3% | 37.2% | 1.08 | −45.5% | +2,045% | 0.54 | — | ||
QTUMDefiance Quantum ETF · Technology | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +22.8% | 28.1% | 0.87 | −38.5% | — | 0.60 | 0.40% | |
SOXQInvesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF · Technology | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +28.3% | 38.9% | 0.84 | −46.0% | — | 0.70 | 0.19% | |
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.13 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +29.3% | 57.6% | 0.74 | −77.7% | +3,841% | 0.23 | — | ||
What these numbers mean for MPWR
- Annual return
- MPWR returned 20.9% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $25,900. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- MPWR's volatility over the past 5 years was 55.4%, 3.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MPWR's return lands within 55.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- MPWR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.62, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so MPWR earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- MPWR's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 51.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 51.6% fall takes a 107% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, MPWR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.58 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MPWR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MPWR holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 265 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than MPWR with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with MPWR | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | 0.00 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.45 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.12 | — | |
| 4 | Whole market | +39.3% | 37.2% | 1.08 | −45.5% | +2,045% | 0.54 | — | |
| 5 | ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +39.8% | 34.6% | 1.15 | −35.4% | +765% | 0.12 | — |
| 6 | Same or nearby category | +38.7% | 46.7% | 0.94 | −46.3% | +2,534% | 0.43 | — | |
| 7 | Whole market | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.10 | — | |
| 8 | Same or nearby category | +33.4% | 36.9% | 0.97 | −45.3% | +1,665% | 0.69 | 0.35% | |
| 9 | VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +28.1% | 35.0% | 0.89 | −45.2% | — | 0.30 | — |
| 10 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.29 | — |
| 11 | QTUMDefiance Quantum ETF · Technology | Whole market | +22.8% | 28.1% | 0.87 | −38.5% | — | 0.60 | 0.40% |
| 12 | SOXQInvesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF · Technology | Whole market | +28.3% | 38.9% | 0.84 | −46.0% | — | 0.70 | 0.19% |
| 13 | ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +61.8% | 42.9% | 1.34 | −82.4% | +929% | 0.28 | — |
| 14 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | -0.04 | — | |
| 15 | NWPXNWPX Infrastructure, Inc. · Construction Materials | Whole market | +32.5% | 36.2% | 0.96 | −46.5% | +682% | 0.26 | — |
| 16 | INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas | Whole market | +56.5% | 40.5% | 1.31 | −57.4% | — | 0.23 | — |
| 17 | Whole market | +31.7% | 33.9% | 0.99 | −73.8% | +332% | 0.27 | — | |
| 18 | Whole market | +38.7% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | +542% | 0.19 | — | |
| 19 | Whole market | +44.2% | 36.9% | 1.18 | −71.9% | +1,061% | 0.08 | — | |
| 20 | Whole market | +35.4% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | +935% | 0.27 | — | |
| 21 | Whole market | +32.0% | 40.7% | 0.89 | −55.3% | +1,017% | 0.34 | — | |
| 22 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.02 | — | |
| 23 | Whole market | +41.8% | 31.7% | 1.27 | −90.8% | +829% | 0.05 | — | |
| 24 | Whole market | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +341% | 0.35 | — | |
| 25 | Whole market | +29.5% | 38.4% | 0.87 | −54.2% | +352% | 0.05 | — | |
| 26 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.26 | 0.48% |
| 27 | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +936% | 0.37 | — | |
| 28 | Whole market | +53.4% | 48.6% | 1.13 | −53.3% | +1,195% | 0.13 | — | |
| 29 | Whole market | +28.8% | 48.4% | 0.77 | −83.3% | +359% | 0.24 | — | |
| 30 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | -0.16 | — | |
| 31 | Whole market | +27.5% | 36.9% | 0.85 | −46.7% | +510% | 0.07 | — | |
| 32 | FTITechnipFMC plc · Oilfield Services | Whole market | +54.1% | 41.3% | 1.26 | −85.8% | +178% | 0.20 | — |
| 33 | Whole market | +40.4% | 49.9% | 0.93 | −66.3% | +681% | 0.14 | — | |
| 34 | Whole market | +32.2% | 42.8% | 0.86 | −85.5% | −3.6% | 0.34 | — | |
| 35 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | -0.09 | — | |
| 36 | BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.3% | 1.04 | −59.2% | +298% | 0.29 | — |
| 37 | Whole market | +25.3% | 34.4% | 0.83 | −64.1% | +390% | 0.28 | — | |
| 38 | NWGNatWest Group plc · Banks | Whole market | +27.7% | 34.1% | 0.89 | −67.4% | +495% | 0.25 | — |
| 39 | Popular alternative | +58.0% | 51.9% | 1.14 | −66.3% | +13,019% | 0.53 | — | |
| 40 | FLEXFlex Ltd. · Electronics Manufacturing | Whole market | +36.0% | 48.2% | 0.88 | −70.0% | +534% | 0.34 | — |
| 41 | CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks | Whole market | +32.9% | 32.9% | 1.03 | −70.4% | +345% | 0.21 | — |
| 42 | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +521% | -0.20 | — | |
| 43 | WSMWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Whole market | +24.5% | 44.4% | 0.71 | −59.7% | +1,268% | 0.26 | — |
| 44 | RLRalph Lauren Corporation · Apparel & Footwear | Whole market | +28.6% | 36.9% | 0.87 | −55.1% | +370% | 0.33 | — |
| 45 | THCTenet Healthcare Corporation · Health Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.9% | 45.1% | 0.86 | −71.7% | +1,058% | 0.37 | — |
| 46 | COKECoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +41.2% | 38.0% | 1.10 | −51.7% | +1,569% | 0.16 | — |
| 47 | Same or nearby category | +49.0% | 49.0% | 1.06 | −52.2% | +3,439% | 0.51 | — | |
| 48 | Same or nearby category | +57.4% | 48.7% | 1.18 | −57.0% | +2,698% | 0.63 | — | |
| 49 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | -0.04 | — | |
| 50 | MLIMueller Industries, Inc. · Metal Fabrication | Whole market | +38.9% | 33.4% | 1.16 | −53.0% | +800% | 0.58 | — |
| 51 | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +955% | 0.44 | — | |
| 52 | Same or nearby category | +37.4% | 49.9% | 0.89 | −56.4% | +2,989% | 0.52 | — | |
| 53 | WFWoori Financial Group Inc. · Banks | Whole market | +26.3% | 31.6% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +282% | 0.29 | — |
| 54 | MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +36.6% | 32.0% | 1.14 | −63.7% | +595% | 0.21 | — |
| 55 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.05 | — | |
| 56 | Whole market | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.26 | — | |
| 57 | Popular alternative | +31.5% | 38.5% | 0.91 | −56.6% | +1,505% | 0.50 | — | |
| 58 | FROFrontline Plc · Oil & Gas | Whole market | +52.6% | 49.7% | 1.10 | −52.0% | +1,194% | 0.33 | — |
| 59 | Same or nearby category | +48.8% | 43.0% | 1.15 | −52.5% | +967% | 0.56 | — | |
| 60 | MEDPMedpace Holdings, Inc. · Contract Research | Whole market | +27.0% | 52.0% | 0.70 | −42.9% | +1,914% | 0.10 | — |
| 61 | EMBJEmbraer S.A. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +32.8% | 45.0% | 0.86 | −85.2% | +283% | 0.20 | — |
| 62 | HALOHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +26.6% | 40.4% | 0.79 | −49.1% | +1,196% | 0.19 | — |
| 63 | IDCCInterDigital, Inc. · Intellectual Property Licensing | Whole market | +39.0% | 36.9% | 1.08 | −64.9% | +395% | 0.25 | — |
| 64 | JXNJackson Financial Inc. · Life Insurance | Whole market | +41.7% | 43.3% | 1.03 | −48.4% | — | 0.25 | — |
| 65 | SANMSanmina Corporation · Electronics Manufacturing | Whole market | +34.7% | 47.8% | 0.86 | −55.9% | +499% | 0.40 | — |
| 66 | Same or nearby category | +32.9% | 42.2% | 0.89 | −56.9% | +483% | 0.24 | — | |
| 67 | Whole market | +24.1% | 39.9% | 0.74 | −38.2% | — | -0.06 | — | |
| 68 | EGOEldorado Gold Corporation · Gold Mining | Whole market | +30.0% | 47.7% | 0.79 | −86.2% | +89.1% | 0.08 | — |
| 69 | EATBrinker International, Inc. · Restaurants | Whole market | +34.6% | 48.8% | 0.86 | −84.9% | +337% | 0.06 | — |
| 70 | BVNCompañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +30.9% | 45.4% | 0.82 | −70.2% | +141% | 0.15 | — |
| 71 | IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs | Whole market | +24.6% | 30.3% | 0.88 | −39.0% | +470% | 0.52 | — |
| 72 | CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +29.9% | 29.3% | 1.04 | −36.1% | +537% | 0.21 | — |
| 73 | BWLPBW LPG Limited · Marine Shipping | Whole market | +60.3% | 50.9% | 1.19 | −68.8% | +2,672% | 0.33 | — |
| 74 | LGNDLigand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology | Whole market | +30.2% | 44.2% | 0.82 | −76.9% | +414% | 0.30 | — |
| 75 | ENVAEnova International, Inc. · Consumer Finance | Whole market | +37.8% | 41.9% | 0.98 | −77.6% | +1,819% | 0.24 | — |
| 76 | AMRXAmneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +28.2% | 50.5% | 0.74 | −94.8% | −9.4% | 0.20 | — |
| 77 | CAKEThe Cheesecake Factory Incorporated · Restaurants | Whole market | +25.8% | 39.9% | 0.78 | −75.6% | +187% | 0.25 | — |
| 78 | RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.44 | — |
| 79 | MTSIMACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. · Semiconductors | Same or nearby category | +32.1% | 47.3% | 0.83 | −80.8% | +588% | 0.43 | — |
| 80 | CHEFThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. · Food Distribution | Whole market | +27.5% | 39.8% | 0.81 | −91.3% | +787% | 0.31 | — |
| 81 | WTWisdomTree, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +31.4% | 32.8% | 1.00 | −84.0% | +174% | 0.30 | — |
| 82 | LPGDorian LPG Ltd. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +54.6% | 43.6% | 1.22 | −62.9% | +1,821% | 0.38 | — |
| 83 | AAMIAcadian Asset Management · Asset Management | Whole market | +29.0% | 35.6% | 0.90 | −78.1% | +652% | 0.43 | — |
| 84 | CGAUCenterra Gold Inc. · Gold Mining | Whole market | +26.3% | 47.6% | 0.73 | −72.2% | +421% | 0.26 | — |
| 85 | SPHRSphere Entertainment Co. · Entertainment | Whole market | +28.4% | 52.4% | 0.74 | −65.7% | — | 0.33 | — |
| 86 | DXPEDXP Enterprises, Inc. · Industrial - Distribution | Whole market | +39.0% | 46.1% | 0.95 | −77.3% | +610% | 0.10 | — |
| 87 | DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.12 | — |
| 88 | GEOThe GEO Group, Inc. · Security & Protection Services | Whole market | +27.7% | 51.5% | 0.73 | −77.8% | +174% | -0.20 | — |
| 89 | DCODucommun Incorporated · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +27.5% | 34.5% | 0.88 | −70.8% | +706% | 0.29 | — |
| 90 | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. · Financial - Credit Services | Whole market | +33.2% | 35.4% | 0.99 | −76.6% | +202% | 0.27 | — |
| 91 | Whole market | +51.8% | 37.5% | 1.31 | −71.7% | +768% | 0.27 | — | |
| 92 | SIISprott Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +24.9% | 39.2% | 0.76 | −49.2% | +786% | 0.23 | — |
| 93 | BHEBenchmark Electronics, Inc. · Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Whole market | +24.9% | 37.3% | 0.78 | −60.3% | +243% | 0.45 | — |
| 94 | EFXTEnerflex Ltd. · Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Whole market | +23.8% | 49.7% | 0.69 | −79.1% | +158% | 0.30 | — |
| 95 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | 0.10 | — |
| 96 | RINGiShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF · International | Whole market | +24.7% | 38.2% | 0.77 | −52.0% | +315% | 0.14 | 0.39% |
| 97 | NMMNavios Maritime Partners L.P. · Marine Shipping | Whole market | +23.5% | 39.5% | 0.73 | −87.9% | +412% | 0.42 | — |
| 98 | TKTeekay Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +47.1% | 41.7% | 1.13 | −83.8% | +244% | 0.32 | — |
| 99 | GTXGarrett Motion Inc. · Auto Parts · Vehicle Electrification theme | Same or nearby category | +27.0% | 41.4% | 0.78 | −93.1% | — | 0.23 | — |
| 100 | PBIPitney Bowes Inc. · Integrated Freight & Logistics | Whole market | +23.5% | 51.1% | 0.67 | −87.5% | +60.2% | 0.34 | — |
MPWR against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against MPWR, compared period by period and year by year.
How do MPWR's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at MPWR, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- NVDA, AVGO and TSM were both more rewarding and calmer than MPWR over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, MPWR returned 20.9% a year, more than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (55.4% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than MPWR with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| NVDA NVIDIA Corporation | +58.0% | 51.9% |
| VRT Vertiv Holdings Co | +54.2% | 64.2% |
| AVGO Broadcom Inc. | +48.3% | 44.5% |
| AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | +35.7% | 57.6% |
| TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | +31.5% | 38.5% |
| MPWR This pageMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. | +20.9% | 55.4% |
| ADI Analog Devices, Inc. | +19.5% | 34.1% |
| SITM SiTime Corporation | +17.5% | 77.8% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| ON ON Semiconductor Corporation | +10.7% | 55.9% |
| VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. | +10.3% | 47.2% |
| TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated | +9.9% | 33.7% |
| SLAB Silicon Laboratories Inc. | +8.1% | 48.3% |
| MXL MaxLinear, Inc. | +7.3% | 83.3% |
| CRUS Cirrus Logic, Inc. | +6.5% | 36.9% |
| NXPI NXP Semiconductors N.V. | +5.7% | 42.3% |
| MCHP Microchip Technology Incorporated | +2.5% | 45.9% |
| STM STMicroelectronics N.V. | +2.2% | 47.7% |
| ALGM Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. | +1.1% | 53.4% |
| DIOD Diodes Incorporated | −1.1% | 50.0% |
| NVTS Navitas Semiconductor Corp | −7.3% | 124% |
| SYNA Synaptics Incorporated | −7.8% | 54.7% |
| POWI Power Integrations, Inc. | −12.9% | 46.6% |
Has MPWR consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares MPWR with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than MPWR helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- AMD outperformed MPWR in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- Two of the 21 popular alternatives, AMD and TSM, outperformed MPWR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- AVGO and ADI earned more for the risk they took than MPWR (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than MPWR over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| MPWR Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (this page) | — | −2.1% | −5.9% | −16.0% | +34.0% | +21.9% | +204% | +159% | +1,659% | 55.4% | 0.62 | −51.6% | — | $61B | — |
| AMD QualifiedAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −13.1% | +6.2% | +94.5% | +139% | +122% | +425% | +359% | +7,583% | 57.6% | 0.82 | −65.5% | — | $873B | — |
| TSM QualifiedTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | 3/5 short2/3 long | −4.5% | +5.9% | +16.6% | +34.0% | +44.3% | +382% | +293% | +1,505% | 38.5% | 0.91 | −56.6% | — | $2.2T | — |
| NVDA SemiconductorsNVIDIA Corporation | 2/5 short3/3 long | −4.8% | +6.6% | +7.4% | +14.9% | +18.8% | +425% | +884% | +13,019% | 51.9% | 1.14 | −66.3% | — | $5.2T | — |
| AVGO SemiconductorsBroadcom Inc. | 0/5 short3/3 long | −7.8% | −11.4% | −16.0% | −3.3% | −3.5% | +305% | +617% | +2,380% | 44.5% | 1.11 | −48.3% | — | $1.6T | — |
| VRT Electrical Equipment & PartsVertiv Holdings Co | 0/5 short2/3 long | −18.9% | −30.2% | −35.2% | +16.0% | +16.0% | +456% | +772% | — | 64.2% | 1.01 | −71.3% | — | $78B | — |
| MXL SemiconductorsMaxLinear, Inc. | 4/5 short1/3 long | −14.5% | −2.0% | +132% | +297% | +317% | +266% | +42.5% | +277% | 83.3% | 0.49 | −88.1% | — | $6.7B | — |
| SITM SemiconductorsSiTime Corporation | 2/5 short1/3 long | −22.1% | −10.5% | −5.9% | +34.4% | +70.6% | +364% | +124% | — | 77.8% | 0.60 | −78.1% | — | $15B | — |
| ADI SemiconductorsAnalog Devices, Inc. | 5/5 short0/3 long | +3.7% | +6.9% | +4.8% | +46.3% | +63.3% | +150% | +144% | +652% | 34.1% | 0.69 | −33.6% | — | $192B | — |
| TXN SemiconductorsTexas Instruments Incorporated | 5/5 short0/3 long | +2.6% | −1.7% | +20.1% | +59.1% | +58.7% | +105% | +60.5% | +424% | 33.7% | 0.45 | −33.4% | — | $254B | — |
| SLAB SemiconductorsSilicon Laboratories Inc. | 5/5 short0/3 long | +0.1% | +1.7% | +3.3% | +67.6% | +60.8% | +115% | +47.7% | +277% | 48.3% | 0.39 | −59.0% | — | $7.4B | — |
| SYNA SemiconductorsSynaptics Incorporated | 5/5 short0/3 long | +23.2% | +3.4% | +41.4% | +55.1% | +61.9% | +29.9% | −33.2% | +72.3% | 54.7% | 0.12 | −85.3% | — | $4.7B | — |
| DIOD SemiconductorsDiodes Incorporated | 4/5 short0/3 long | −5.9% | −2.2% | −11.7% | +66.0% | +49.4% | +14.1% | −5.6% | +324% | 50.0% | 0.23 | −69.5% | — | $3.9B | — |
| ON SemiconductorsON Semiconductor Corporation | 3/5 short0/3 long | +5.4% | −12.8% | −11.6% | +33.4% | +37.8% | −10.9% | +66.0% | +540% | 55.9% | 0.46 | −70.4% | — | $29B | — |
| STM SemiconductorsSTMicroelectronics N.V. | 3/5 short0/3 long | −11.2% | −25.8% | +3.3% | +68.2% | +52.9% | +18.8% | +11.6% | +525% | 47.7% | 0.28 | −66.6% | — | $41B | — |
| MCHP SemiconductorsMicrochip Technology Incorporated | 3/5 short0/3 long | +1.4% | −5.2% | −4.6% | +18.6% | +16.0% | +8.5% | +13.0% | +207% | 45.9% | 0.28 | −63.8% | — | $41B | — |
| VSH SemiconductorsVishay Intertechnology, Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | −12.4% | −23.3% | +9.0% | +88.8% | +66.1% | +32.0% | +62.9% | +146% | 47.2% | 0.44 | −63.5% | — | $4.0B | — |
| NXPI SemiconductorsNXP Semiconductors N.V. | 2/5 short0/3 long | +2.2% | −10.7% | +8.2% | +8.8% | +10.0% | +34.9% | +31.9% | +159% | 42.3% | 0.34 | −53.3% | — | $60B | — |
| CRUS SemiconductorsCirrus Logic, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −7.6% | −19.0% | −34.2% | −7.4% | −15.6% | +63.6% | +37.1% | +106% | 36.9% | 0.35 | −55.9% | — | $5.6B | — |
| POWI SemiconductorsPower Integrations, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.1% | −33.7% | −23.5% | +27.4% | +5.5% | −30.5% | −49.8% | +66.8% | 46.6% | -0.07 | −70.7% | — | $2.6B | — |
| ALGM SemiconductorsAllegro MicroSystems, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −4.5% | −26.9% | −16.6% | +26.0% | +11.2% | +17.5% | +5.5% | — | 53.4% | 0.28 | −68.7% | — | $6.3B | — |
| NVTS SemiconductorsNavitas Semiconductor Corp | 0/5 short0/3 long | −28.1% | −24.3% | −33.8% | +4.3% | −48.9% | +56.4% | −31.7% | — | 124% | 0.44 | −92.0% | — | $2.3B | — |
How did MPWR do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2005, along with where MPWR ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with MPWR and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
Note: MPWR began trading on November 19, 2004, so the table starts with 2005, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, MPWR finished in the top quarter in nine of 21 years and in the bottom quarter in two. In 2025, it ranked 5 of 22.
- MPWR finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 15 of its 21 full calendar years.
- Among its popular alternatives, SITM came out ahead of MPWR most often, in four of the six years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of MPWR; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places MPWR among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of MPWR | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPWR This pageMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. | — | +54.4% | −5.5% | +79.8% | −27.8% | +35.5% | +107% | +54.8% | +4.5% | +38.2% | +30.1% | +30.0% | +44.9% | +55.6% | +54.9% | −8.8% | −31.1% | +90.1% | −41.3% | +93.3% | −25.9% | +61.2% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 9 of 21 | 5 of 22 | 9 of 22 | 6 of 22 | 11 of 22 | 12 of 21 | 3 of 20 | 10 of 19 | 3 of 18 | 7 of 18 | 14 of 18 | 4 of 18 | 3 of 18 | 7 of 18 | 3 of 18 | 8 of 18 | 16 of 16 | 8 of 15 | 6 of 15 | 1 of 15 | 14 of 15 | 2 of 15 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 6 of 21 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% |
| AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 9 of 21 | +77.3% | −18.1% | +128% | −55.0% | +56.9% | +100.0% | +148% | +79.6% | −9.3% | +295% | +7.5% | −31.0% | +61.3% | −55.6% | −34.0% | −15.5% | +348% | −71.2% | −63.1% | −33.5% | +39.0% |
| TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | 7 of 21 | +55.7% | +92.0% | +41.8% | −37.0% | +11.7% | +91.6% | +63.3% | −4.3% | +37.9% | +31.2% | +4.9% | +31.1% | +4.5% | +37.7% | +7.3% | +14.9% | +52.9% | −16.1% | −4.3% | +18.9% | +27.1% |
| NVDA NVIDIA Corporation | 11 of 21 | +38.9% | +171% | +239% | −50.2% | +125% | +122% | +76.4% | −30.8% | +82.5% | +228% | +67.1% | +27.4% | +33.5% | −11.0% | −10.0% | −17.6% | +131% | −76.3% | +37.9% | +102% | +55.2% |
| AVGO Broadcom Inc. | 10 of 16 | +50.6% | +110% | +104% | −13.3% | +56.5% | +45.0% | +29.0% | +2.2% | +48.2% | +23.6% | +46.1% | +93.4% | +70.0% | +12.0% | +3.0% | +55.4% | — | — | — | — | — |
| VRT Vertiv Holdings Co | 2 of 7 | +42.8% | +137% | +252% | −45.3% | +33.8% | +69.4% | +12.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MXL MaxLinear, Inc. | 4 of 15 | −11.9% | −16.8% | −30.0% | −55.0% | +97.4% | +80.0% | +20.6% | −33.4% | +21.2% | +48.0% | +98.8% | −29.0% | +108% | +5.7% | −55.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SITM SiTime Corporation | 4 of 6 | +64.6% | +75.7% | +20.1% | −65.3% | +161% | +339% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ADI Analog Devices, Inc. | 7 of 21 | +29.8% | +8.8% | +23.4% | −4.9% | +21.0% | +26.9% | +41.3% | −1.6% | +25.3% | +35.0% | +2.4% | +12.2% | +24.7% | +21.2% | −2.4% | +22.7% | +71.5% | −38.0% | −1.5% | −6.7% | −1.9% |
| TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated | 6 of 21 | −4.5% | +13.1% | +6.4% | −9.9% | +17.5% | +31.7% | +39.6% | −7.2% | +46.8% | +36.7% | +5.1% | +25.1% | +46.3% | +7.9% | −8.8% | +27.0% | +72.0% | −52.8% | +17.0% | −9.8% | +30.7% |
| SLAB Silicon Laboratories Inc. | 7 of 21 | +5.2% | −6.1% | −2.5% | −34.3% | +62.1% | +9.8% | +47.2% | −10.8% | +35.9% | +33.9% | +1.9% | +10.0% | +3.6% | −3.7% | −5.7% | −4.9% | +95.2% | −33.8% | +8.0% | −5.5% | +3.8% |
| SYNA Synaptics Incorporated | 7 of 21 | −3.0% | −33.1% | +19.9% | −67.1% | +200% | +46.6% | +76.8% | −6.8% | −25.5% | −33.3% | +16.7% | +32.9% | +72.9% | −0.6% | +2.6% | −4.1% | +85.1% | −39.6% | +38.6% | +20.1% | −19.2% |
| DIOD Diodes Incorporated | 7 of 21 | −20.0% | −23.4% | +5.8% | −30.7% | +55.8% | +25.1% | +74.7% | +12.5% | +11.7% | +11.7% | −16.7% | +17.0% | +35.8% | −18.5% | −21.1% | +32.2% | +237% | −79.8% | +27.2% | +14.2% | +106% |
| ON ON Semiconductor Corporation | 6 of 21 | −14.1% | −24.5% | +33.9% | −8.2% | +108% | +34.3% | +47.7% | −21.1% | +64.1% | +30.2% | −3.3% | +22.9% | +16.9% | −8.7% | −21.9% | +12.0% | +159% | −61.7% | +17.3% | +36.9% | +21.8% |
| STM STMicroelectronics N.V. | 6 of 21 | +5.3% | −49.6% | +41.6% | −26.8% | +32.4% | +38.9% | +96.4% | −35.7% | +95.1% | +76.9% | −6.7% | −2.5% | +15.2% | +30.1% | −40.6% | +15.9% | +43.9% | −52.3% | −21.1% | +2.9% | −6.1% |
| MCHP Microchip Technology Incorporated | 7 of 21 | +14.6% | −34.9% | +30.9% | −18.0% | +27.5% | +33.7% | +48.1% | −16.7% | +39.5% | +41.6% | +6.3% | +4.0% | +42.4% | −7.1% | +10.3% | +24.6% | +57.8% | −34.8% | −0.7% | +4.4% | +22.6% |
| VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. | 5 of 21 | −12.2% | −27.9% | +13.0% | +0.7% | +7.4% | −0.5% | +20.6% | −11.9% | +30.0% | +37.1% | −13.1% | +8.5% | +24.7% | +18.2% | −38.8% | +124% | +144% | −70.0% | −15.7% | −1.6% | −8.3% |
| NXPI NXP Semiconductors N.V. | 5 of 15 | +6.4% | −8.0% | +48.4% | −29.2% | +44.8% | +26.6% | +75.7% | −37.0% | +19.5% | +16.3% | +10.3% | +66.3% | +74.5% | +71.2% | −26.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CRUS Cirrus Logic, Inc. | 9 of 21 | +19.0% | +19.7% | +11.7% | −19.1% | +11.9% | −0.3% | +148% | −36.0% | −8.3% | +91.5% | +25.3% | +15.4% | −29.5% | +82.8% | −0.8% | +134% | +154% | −49.2% | −23.3% | +3.0% | +21.2% |
| POWI Power Integrations, Inc. | 6 of 21 | −41.3% | −24.0% | +15.6% | −22.1% | +14.1% | +66.7% | +63.7% | −16.3% | +9.3% | +40.8% | −5.1% | −6.6% | +67.2% | +1.9% | −17.0% | +11.1% | +83.7% | −42.1% | +46.6% | −1.5% | +20.4% |
| ALGM Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. | 1 of 5 | +20.7% | −27.8% | +0.8% | −17.0% | +35.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NVTS Navitas Semiconductor Corp | 2 of 4 | +100% | −55.8% | +130% | −79.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How MPWR has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were MPWR's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents MPWR's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2004, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
Note: MPWR began trading on November 19, 2004, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.
- In all five of MPWR's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: MPWR fell 58.5% from February to August 2006, while the S&P 500 rose 1.3%.
- The slowest recovery came after MPWR fell 72.3% from August to December 2008; it did not regain that peak until August 2013, five years later.
Green means MPWR fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | MPWR fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −72.3% | −32.3% | Aug 2008 | Dec 2008 | 4 months | Aug 2013 | 4.7 years |
| No named crash | −58.5% | +1.3% | Feb 2006 | Aug 2006 | 6 months | Aug 2007 | 12 months |
| No named crash | −51.6% | −10.6% | Aug 2024 | Apr 2025 | 8 months | Oct 2025 | 6 months |
| No named crash | −47.4% | −1.9% | Dec 2004 | May 2005 | 5 months | Oct 2005 | 5 months |
| 2022 bear market | −46.0% | −22.6% | Nov 2021 | Oct 2022 | 11 months | Jul 2023 | 9 months |
How did MPWR do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far MPWR, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
Note: MPWR began trading on November 19, 2004, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.
- MPWR fell further than the S&P 500 in eight of the nine crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when MPWR fell 72.3% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.
- Among its popular alternatives, ADI held up best, falling less than MPWR in seven of the nine crashes they both traded through.
- MPWR began trading after the dot-com bust, but 11 of its popular alternatives lived through it. The mildest fall among them was MCHP's 58.7%, against 47.5% for the S&P 500.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than MPWR.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPWR This pageMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. | — | −5.1% | −39.7% | −27.9% | −21.4% | −9.8% | −18.1% | −32.0% | −5.4% | −72.3% | Not yet trading |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 8 of 9 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 2 of 9 | −3.9% | −60.1% | −34.3% | −48.9% | −9.9% | −40.0% | −41.5% | 0.0% | −87.6% | −93.3% |
| TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | 6 of 9 | −3.9% | −54.3% | −23.3% | −21.4% | −9.3% | −13.2% | −15.7% | 0.0% | −48.0% | −82.4% |
| NVDA NVIDIA Corporation | 3 of 9 | −5.0% | −60.7% | −37.5% | −55.9% | −8.5% | −25.3% | −23.8% | −1.7% | −85.1% | −89.7% |
| AVGO Broadcom Inc. | 6 of 8 | −2.8% | −34.3% | −46.8% | −15.2% | −4.5% | −21.6% | −26.7% | 0.0% | — | — |
| VRT Vertiv Holdings Co | 1 of 4 | −12.2% | −65.7% | −58.6% | −3.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MXL MaxLinear, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −7.2% | −58.4% | −56.6% | −23.8% | −4.0% | −23.7% | −33.7% | −2.8% | — | — |
| SITM SiTime Corporation | 0 of 3 | −6.1% | −71.0% | −46.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ADI Analog Devices, Inc. | 7 of 9 | −2.6% | −22.6% | −33.6% | −18.1% | −7.2% | −22.7% | −18.6% | −1.2% | −55.0% | −82.0% |
| TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated | 6 of 9 | −2.6% | −21.7% | −29.8% | −19.5% | −9.3% | −18.4% | −21.6% | −1.3% | −61.4% | −85.4% |
| SLAB Silicon Laboratories Inc. | 4 of 9 | −3.4% | −42.9% | −34.8% | −22.7% | −10.1% | −32.0% | −25.2% | −1.9% | −60.6% | — |
| SYNA Synaptics Incorporated | 4 of 9 | −6.7% | −68.3% | −40.4% | −28.7% | −5.1% | −34.1% | −13.9% | −1.1% | −64.4% | — |
| DIOD Diodes Incorporated | 4 of 9 | −4.0% | −45.5% | −33.1% | −18.6% | −5.0% | −29.6% | −34.3% | −3.4% | −90.1% | −86.5% |
| ON ON Semiconductor Corporation | 3 of 9 | −6.4% | −34.0% | −59.6% | −23.7% | −12.2% | −39.2% | −28.5% | 0.0% | −80.0% | — |
| STM STMicroelectronics N.V. | 3 of 9 | −3.2% | −40.6% | −49.6% | −31.0% | −9.1% | −31.6% | −36.9% | −3.2% | −77.2% | −83.5% |
| MCHP Microchip Technology Incorporated | 5 of 9 | −3.8% | −35.3% | −49.0% | −25.9% | −14.4% | −18.6% | −12.7% | −0.4% | −55.2% | −58.7% |
| VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. | 4 of 9 | −2.4% | −22.2% | −42.4% | −21.6% | −20.8% | −16.4% | −46.6% | −2.0% | −84.8% | −88.5% |
| NXPI NXP Semiconductors N.V. | 3 of 7 | −4.2% | −38.8% | −52.0% | −27.4% | −4.0% | −35.5% | −39.8% | — | — | — |
| CRUS Cirrus Logic, Inc. | 4 of 9 | −4.1% | −32.3% | −37.4% | −25.2% | −13.9% | −27.4% | −21.4% | −5.6% | −70.5% | −96.8% |
| POWI Power Integrations, Inc. | 7 of 9 | −3.3% | −35.7% | −21.7% | −26.1% | −7.5% | −20.9% | −24.3% | 0.0% | −57.5% | −84.3% |
| ALGM Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. | 0 of 2 | −5.9% | −44.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NVTS Navitas Semiconductor Corp | 0 of 2 | −8.6% | −76.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does MPWR move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares MPWR with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- Over the past 10 years, MPWR captured 156% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 107% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.31. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
- Only AVGO, TSM and NVDA had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than MPWR's 1.46, out of 17 popular alternatives with the same record.
- TSM took just 75% of the S&P 500's losses, against 107% for MPWR, while still keeping 138% of its gains.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than MPWR's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPWR This pageMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. | 156% | 107% | 1.46 | 1.31 |
| AVGO Broadcom Inc. | 158% | 86% | 1.85 | 1.19 |
| TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | 138% | 75% | 1.84 | 1.15 |
| NVDA NVIDIA Corporation | 248% | 140% | 1.77 | 1.83 |
| AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 254% | 179% | 1.42 | 2.25 |
| ADI Analog Devices, Inc. | 117% | 92% | 1.26 | 1.20 |
| STM STMicroelectronics N.V. | 122% | 104% | 1.17 | 1.72 |
| TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated | 113% | 108% | 1.04 | 1.18 |
| DIOD Diodes Incorporated | 128% | 146% | 0.88 | 1.53 |
| SLAB Silicon Laboratories Inc. | 113% | 130% | 0.87 | 1.18 |
| ON ON Semiconductor Corporation | 161% | 185% | 0.87 | 1.95 |
| CRUS Cirrus Logic, Inc. | 71% | 85% | 0.84 | 1.02 |
| MXL MaxLinear, Inc. | 140% | 169% | 0.83 | 2.95 |
| MCHP Microchip Technology Incorporated | 127% | 170% | 0.75 | 1.72 |
| VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. | 118% | 160% | 0.74 | 1.61 |
| NXPI NXP Semiconductors N.V. | 115% | 157% | 0.73 | 1.63 |
| POWI Power Integrations, Inc. | 89% | 133% | 0.67 | 1.28 |
| SYNA Synaptics Incorporated | 117% | 188% | 0.62 | 1.64 |
What diversifies MPWR?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with MPWR's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing MPWR with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in MPWR into MCK would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 21% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+23.6% for MPWR alone, +28.5% for the mix).
- GLD made money in five of the six calendar years in which MPWR lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of MPWR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.28 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which MPWR lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% MPWR and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2022 | 2011 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPWR Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +159% | 0.62 | −5.5% | −27.8% | −8.8% | −31.1% | −41.3% | −25.9% | 45.0% | +23.6% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.28 | +119% | 1.48 | +15.9% | +3.8% | — | — | — | — | 36.6% | +23.9% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.26 | +225% | 1.34 | +29.8% | +6.0% | −16.1% | −1.8% | −20.8% | — | 36.8% | +26.0% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.21 | +101% | 1.04 | +33.4% | +10.4% | — | — | — | — | 36.7% | +23.7% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.20 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +14.1% | +7.1% | — | — | — | — | 36.7% | +23.0% |
| EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF | 0.36 | +140% | 0.97 | +5.7% | −5.2% | −9.8% | −18.8% | −36.8% | +49.2% | 37.6% | +24.6% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.47 | +85.0% | 0.96 | +13.4% | −5.1% | — | — | — | — | 37.1% | +23.1% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.17 | +126% | 0.96 | +26.7% | −0.8% | +9.6% | +29.3% | +4.9% | +22.6% | 36.8% | +24.4% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.45 | +136% | 0.93 | +45.8% | −10.4% | — | — | — | — | 38.1% | +24.7% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2022 | 2011 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPWR Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +159% | 0.62 | −5.5% | −27.8% | −8.8% | −31.1% | −41.3% | −25.9% | 45.0% | +23.6% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | -0.04 | +479% | 1.55 | +19.0% | +54.1% | +8.1% | +21.4% | −39.6% | −5.8% | 36.2% | +28.9% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.31 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +215% | +1.3% | −24.4% | +2.8% | −20.5% | −26.0% | 41.2% | +41.5% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.42 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +107% | +17.0% | −17.0% | +8.7% | −15.2% | +38.9% | 40.6% | +37.0% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | -0.16 | +413% | 1.44 | +23.7% | +51.8% | +11.8% | +13.8% | −40.4% | −1.2% | 35.6% | +28.5% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.10 | +690% | 1.41 | −4.0% | +86.6% | — | — | — | — | 37.2% | +30.9% |
Common questions
What was MPWR's worst drawdown?
MPWR's deepest decline since it began trading in 2004 was 72.3%, from August to December 2008. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high. Because MPWR launched in November 2004, that record does not include the dot-com bust.
What were MPWR's best and worst years?
Over 21 full calendar years, MPWR's best year was 2020, when it returned 107%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -41.3%.
Is there a better investment than MPWR?
Among MPWR's popular alternatives, NVDA, TSM and AVGO earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. NVDA returned 58.0% a year at 51.9% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, KLAC (semiconductor equipment) and SMH (semiconductors) earned more than MPWR with less volatility over the past 5 years. KLAC returned 38.7% a year at 46.7% volatility, against 20.9% a year at 55.4%.
Is MPWR more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. MPWR's volatility over the past 5 years was 55.4%, 3.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MPWR's return lands within 55.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is MPWR's Sharpe ratio?
MPWR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.62, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so MPWR earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is MPWR with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, MPWR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.58 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MPWR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MPWR holding.
What are the best alternatives to MPWR?
Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed MPWR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: AMD and TSM.
Did MPWR outperform the S&P 500?
MPWR finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 21 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +54.5%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did MPWR do in stock market crashes?
MPWR fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in eight. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when MPWR fell 72.3% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.
What diversifies MPWR?
These had a low correlation with MPWR over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.28), DXJ (correlation 0.26) and EMLP (correlation 0.21); among large stocks, CAH (correlation -0.04), CLS (correlation 0.31) and FIX (correlation 0.42). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than MPWR's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of MPWR's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
More research
Popular alternatives to MPWR
AMDAdvanced Micro Devices
TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
NVDANVIDIA
AVGOBroadcom
VRTVertiv
ADIAnalog Devices
TXNTexas Instruments
STMSTMicroelectronics
MCHPMicrochip Technology
NXPINXP Semiconductors