Tearsheet

MaxLinear (MXL)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $17.83 | Market Cap: $1.6 Bil
Sector: Information Technology | Industry: Semiconductors

MaxLinear (MXL)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $17.83
Market Cap: $1.6 Bil
Sector: Information Technology
Industry: Semiconductors

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Artificial Intelligence, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Data Centers & Infrastructure, Telecom Infrastructure, Show more.
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -55%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -121%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -125 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -30%
1   Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -22%
2   Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -4.4%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -8.9%
3   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -17%
0 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Artificial Intelligence, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Data Centers & Infrastructure, Telecom Infrastructure, Show more.
1 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -55%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -121%
2 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -125 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -30%
3 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -22%
4 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -4.4%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -8.9%
5 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -17%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

MXL Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

MaxLinear (MXL) experienced a 14.1% stock movement from approximately August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025, driven by several key factors:

1. Strong Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Optimistic Fourth Quarter Guidance. MaxLinear announced robust financial performance for Q3 2025 on October 23, 2025, reporting net revenue of $126.5 million, marking a 16% sequential increase and a 56% year-over-year growth. The company also posted a non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.14, significantly up from $0.02 in the prior quarter, and achieved positive operating cash flow of $10.1 million. Furthermore, MaxLinear provided an encouraging outlook for Q4 2025, projecting revenues between $130 million and $140 million, alongside healthy non-GAAP gross margins.

2. Authorization of a $75 Million Share Repurchase Plan. On November 24, 2025, MaxLinear's board approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the buyback of up to $75 million of its common stock. This initiative signals confidence from management in the company's valuation and financial health, and it can positively impact shareholder value by reducing the number of outstanding shares.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
MXL Return80%97%-55%-30%-17%-16%-22%
Peers Return40%36%-26%31%7%17%130%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
MXL Win Rate58%75%25%50%42%40% 
Peers Win Rate65%67%37%58%52%52% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
MXL Max Drawdown-62%-19%-60%-58%-53%-54% 
Peers Max Drawdown-31%-7%-38%-5%-13%-22% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: AMAT, QCOM, TXN, MSI, QRVO. See MXL Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventMXLS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-81.4%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven436.7%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-62.4%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven166.3%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven97 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-52.2%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven109.2%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven771 days120 days

Compare to AMAT, QCOM, TXN, MSI, QRVO


In The Past

MaxLinear's stock fell -81.4% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/27/2021. A -81.4% loss requires a 436.7% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About MaxLinear (MXL)

Better Bets than MaxLinear (MXL)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to MXL. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
ENPH_11302025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11302025ENPHEnphase EnergyDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
0.9%0.9%-0.9%
PD_11262025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11262025PDPagerDutyDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
0.8%0.8%0.0%
CRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CRMSalesforceDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.3%3.3%-0.1%
HUBS_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11212025HUBSHubSpotDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
5.1%5.1%0.0%
FIVN_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025FIVNFive9Dip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
4.0%4.0%0.0%
MXL_10312023_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10312023MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
36.8%-3.7%-27.0%
MXL_4302023_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE04302023MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-38.2%-12.3%-40.5%
MXL_6302022_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE06302022MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
0.2%-7.1%-31.2%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
ENPH_11302025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11302025ENPHEnphase EnergyDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
0.9%0.9%-0.9%
PD_11262025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11262025PDPagerDutyDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
0.8%0.8%0.0%
CRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CRMSalesforceDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.3%3.3%-0.1%
HUBS_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11212025HUBSHubSpotDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
5.1%5.1%0.0%
FIVN_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025FIVNFive9Dip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
4.0%4.0%0.0%
MXL_10312023_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10312023MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
36.8%-3.7%-27.0%
MXL_4302023_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE04302023MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-38.2%-12.3%-40.5%
MXL_6302022_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE06302022MXLMaxLinearDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
0.2%-7.1%-31.2%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for MaxLinear

Peers to compare with:

Financials

MXLAMATQCOMTXNMSIQRVOMedian
NameMaxLinearApplied .Qualcomm Texas In.Motorola.Qorvo  
Mkt Price17.93268.63174.18182.60375.6989.36178.39
Mkt Cap1.6214.4187.8166.062.78.3114.3
Rev LTM42328,61344,28417,26611,0943,66314,180
Op Inc LTM-1258,62312,3946,0122,7853654,398
FCF LTM-385,82312,8202,0802,3845352,232
FCF 3Y Avg-06,45711,2771,7322,0475371,890
CFO LTM-197,70514,0126,8972,6126804,754
CFO 3Y Avg267,78812,5046,5602,2936754,426

Growth & Margins

MXLAMATQCOMTXNMSIQRVOMedian
NameMaxLinearApplied .Qualcomm Texas In.Motorola.Qorvo  
Rev Chg LTM7.5%6.6%13.7%9.9%6.4%-7.2%7.0%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-22.3%4.4%1.2%-4.6%9.5%-3.7%-1.3%
Rev Chg Q55.9%7.7%10.0%14.2%5.2%1.1%8.9%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM12.0%1.9%2.4%3.5%1.3%0.3%2.1%
Op Mgn LTM-29.6%30.1%28.0%34.8%25.1%10.0%26.5%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-21.2%29.4%25.9%38.0%23.8%5.1%24.8%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM5.8%0.5%-0.2%-0.1%0.1%0.9%0.3%
CFO/Rev LTM-4.4%26.9%31.6%39.9%23.5%18.6%25.2%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg0.7%28.5%31.5%38.6%21.9%18.5%25.2%
FCF/Rev LTM-8.9%20.4%28.9%12.0%21.5%14.6%17.5%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-4.1%23.7%28.4%10.2%19.6%14.6%17.1%

Valuation

MXLAMATQCOMTXNMSIQRVOMedian
NameMaxLinearApplied .Qualcomm Texas In.Motorola.Qorvo  
Mkt Cap1.6214.4187.8166.062.78.3114.3
P/S3.35.14.09.76.92.34.6
P/EBIT-9.115.913.526.825.525.920.7
P/E-7.821.432.433.136.038.832.7
P/CFO-75.319.012.824.229.212.415.9
Total Yield-12.8%5.6%5.2%6.0%3.7%2.6%4.4%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.9%2.1%3.0%0.9%0.0%0.9%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-0.7%4.4%7.0%1.1%3.1%5.8%3.8%
D/E0.10.00.10.10.10.20.1
Net D/E0.0-0.00.00.10.10.10.0

Returns

MXLAMATQCOMTXNMSIQRVOMedian
NameMaxLinearApplied .Qualcomm Texas In.Motorola.Qorvo  
1M Rtn14.8%13.2%-3.6%13.1%-4.0%-4.5%4.7%
3M Rtn17.7%72.3%10.7%-5.9%-20.6%-1.7%4.5%
6M Rtn46.9%66.7%18.2%-2.7%-9.6%12.8%15.5%
12M Rtn3.0%48.1%9.5%-4.4%-23.8%26.9%6.3%
3Y Rtn-50.9%158.6%47.6%12.6%42.5%-8.1%27.5%
1M Excs Rtn14.8%13.3%-3.6%13.1%-4.0%-4.5%4.8%
3M Excs Rtn10.0%64.7%3.7%-7.0%-26.7%-8.4%-1.6%
6M Excs Rtn32.2%52.0%3.5%-17.4%-24.3%-1.9%0.8%
12M Excs Rtn5.0%41.7%-1.2%-19.8%-37.6%15.9%1.9%
3Y Excs Rtn-121.5%93.9%-16.6%-57.2%-26.7%-77.9%-42.0%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Single Segment6931,120892479317
Total6931,120892479317


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity6,021,594
Short Interest: % Change Since 103120251.3%
Average Daily Volume1,010,663
Days-to-Cover Short Interest5.96
Basic Shares Quantity87,186,000
Short % of Basic Shares6.9%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251023202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025723202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025423202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024129202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241023202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024724202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024424202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023131202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231025202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023727202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023426202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022201202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221025202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022727202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022427202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021202202210-K 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

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 OwnerTitleFiling DateActionPriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
0ARTUSI DANIEL A 10302025Sell15.879,055143,697521,910Form