MXL
TechnologyMaxLinear, Inc. · Semiconductors · $9B
What is MaxLinear, Inc.?
MaxLinear, Inc. designs radiofrequency, analog, and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions used across broadband, wireless infrastructure, and data center applications. Incorporated in 2003 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the company serves a global customer base of OEMs, ODMs, and distributors.
MaxLinear develops highly integrated systems-on-chip (SoC) that combine RF, analog, digital signal processing, and power management into single-chip communication platforms. Its products power cable and fiber broadband gateways, Wi-Fi routers, 4G and 5G base-station radios, and fiber-optic modules for data centers. Revenue comes from selling these chips to electronics distributors, module makers, and OEMs worldwide through a direct sales force and distributor network.
MaxLinear was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.
- Broadband SoCs for DOCSIS, fiber, and DSL modems and gateways
- RF transceivers and modems for 4G and 5G infrastructure
- Fiber-optic interconnect chips for data center and metro networks
- Wi-Fi and wireline home networking silicon
- Power management and mixed-signal interface products
Is MXL a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates MXL as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful challenges across several quality dimensions.
The Risk pillar stands out as the relative bright spot in MaxLinear's profile, suggesting the balance sheet and near-term financial stability are more defensible than other aspects of the business. The Growth pillar lands at Neutral, indicating the company is neither accelerating meaningfully nor in sharp decline relative to sector peers.
Both the Quality and Moat pillars score Weak, pointing to below-average returns on capital and limited competitive differentiation — concerns that matter for long-term holders. Valuation is Neutral, offering no clear margin of safety to offset those weaknesses.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does MXL pay dividends?
No — MaxLinear, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
MaxLinear does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive semiconductor design company still working to establish consistent profitability, retaining cash for research and development, product roadmap investment, and potential acquisitions is the typical capital-allocation approach. Income-focused investors should factor this into their portfolio planning.
When does MXL report earnings?
MaxLinear reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed technology companies.
The company has faced a challenging demand environment in its core broadband and infrastructure end markets, which has weighed on revenue trends. Management has focused on cost discipline and product diversification to navigate the cycle. Results have been mixed relative to prior-year periods.
For the most recent quarter's results and forward guidance, visit MaxLinear's investor relations page directly.
MXL Price History
-11.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in MaxLinear, Inc.?
Based on MaxLinear, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
MXL Long-term Outlook
MaxLinear's Growth pillar at Neutral suggests the business is positioned for a gradual recovery rather than a sharp rebound. The Risk pillar holding at Good provides some confidence that the company can weather continued end-market softness without acute financial distress. However, the Weak Quality and Moat scores mean that any recovery in revenue may not translate efficiently into durable profitability. The path forward depends heavily on a broadband infrastructure spending recovery and the company's ability to gain share in 5G and data center connectivity.
Growth drivers
- Broadband infrastructure refresh cycles driven by fiber and DOCSIS upgrades
- Expanding 5G base-station and backhaul radio deployments globally
- Data center optical interconnect demand growth
Key risks
- Prolonged weakness in broadband and cable end markets
- Limited competitive moat in a crowded semiconductor landscape
- Customer concentration and reliance on OEM and ODM spending cycles
MXL vs Peers
MaxLinear competes in the broader semiconductor and communications chip space alongside several mid-cap technology peers.
Ichor focuses on fluid delivery subsystems for semiconductor equipment manufacturers, serving a different part of the chip supply chain than MaxLinear's end-market SoC products.
Ambarella specializes in AI-powered video processing SoCs for security cameras and automotive applications, targeting computer vision rather than communications infrastructure.
Veeco makes semiconductor process equipment used in chip fabrication, positioning it as a capital equipment supplier rather than a fabless chip designer like MaxLinear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MaxLinear do?
MaxLinear designs radiofrequency, analog, and mixed-signal systems-on-chip used in broadband gateways, Wi-Fi routers, 4G and 5G base stations, and fiber-optic data center modules. The company is a fabless semiconductor designer, meaning it outsources chip manufacturing while focusing on design and software integration.
Does MXL pay dividends?
No, MaxLinear does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital for research and development and strategic investments. Investors seeking regular income should note that MXL is not structured as a dividend-paying stock at this time.
When does MXL report earnings?
MaxLinear reports financial results on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed technology companies. For exact dates and upcoming earnings schedules, check MaxLinear's investor relations page, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming earnings dates.
Is MXL a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates MXL as Below Average, driven by Weak scores on both the Quality and Moat pillars. While the Risk pillar is Good and Growth is Neutral, the overall profile suggests meaningful fundamental challenges. Investors should review the full pillar breakdown before drawing conclusions.
Is MXL overvalued?
MXL's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral, meaning it is neither clearly cheap nor obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. Given the Weak Quality and Moat scores, a Neutral valuation does not necessarily represent a margin of safety. The complete valuation metrics are available to UQS Pro members.
How does MXL compare to its competitors?
Among the peers tracked on this page — Ichor Holdings, Ambarella, and Veeco Instruments — each operates in a distinct segment of the semiconductor ecosystem. MaxLinear's focus on communications SoCs for broadband and infrastructure sets it apart, though its Below Average UQS Score suggests it currently lags on quality and moat dimensions relative to the broader sector.
What is MXL's market cap bracket?
MaxLinear is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but may carry more volatility and less analyst coverage than large-cap semiconductor peers.
Who founded MaxLinear?
MaxLinear was founded by Kishore Seendripu and others with backgrounds in mixed-signal semiconductor design. The company was incorporated in 2003 and went public in 2010, building its product portfolio around highly integrated communications chips.
Is MXL a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, MXL's Below Average UQS Score — with Weak readings on both Quality and Moat — raises questions about its durability of competitive advantage and return profile over time. The Risk pillar at Good provides some stability, but long-term investors typically seek stronger quality and moat foundations.
What is the main competitive advantage of MaxLinear?
MaxLinear's differentiation lies in its ability to integrate multiple communication functions — RF, analog, digital signal processing, and power management — into a single chip. However, the UQS Moat pillar currently rates this advantage as Weak, suggesting the company faces meaningful competitive pressure in its core markets.
What sector does MXL belong to?
MaxLinear operates in the Technology sector, specifically within the semiconductor and communications chip industry. Its products serve the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial end markets globally.
Is MXL a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, MXL shows Neutral Growth and Neutral Valuation, placing it in an ambiguous middle ground — neither a high-momentum growth story nor a deep-value opportunity. The Weak Quality score further complicates a straightforward categorization.
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Pro Analysis
MXL — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | 38.2 | 9.4 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 69.7 | 38.8 | +4.8 |
| May 10, 2026 | 33.4 | 0.0 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 36.9 | 55.7 | -0.3 |
| May 8, 2026 | 33.7 | 0.0 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 36.9 | 57.4 | -4.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 37.8 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 66.0 | 39.6 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 37.9 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 66.0 | 40.0 | -0.3 |
| May 1, 2026 | 38.2 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 66.0 | 42.5 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 38.1 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 66.0 | 41.8 | -2.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 40.2 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 71.4 | 66.0 | 55.5 | +3.8 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 36.4 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 58.3 | 66.0 | 47.5 | -0.6 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 37.0 | 9.8 | 21.0 | 58.3 | 66.0 | 51.3 | -0.1 |
MXL — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 9.4/100 (25%)MaxLinear, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 71.4/100 (20%)MaxLinear, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 69.7/100 (15%)MaxLinear, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 38.3/100 (15%)MaxLinear, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Moat
— 21/100 (25%)MaxLinear, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MXL.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the MXL UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for MaxLinear, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses MaxLinear, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether MaxLinear, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.