MaxLinear (MXL) vs Viavi Solutions (VIAV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
MaxLinear (MXL) has outperformed Viavi Solutions (VIAV) over the past year, gaining 588.6% versus a gain of 265.8%. Over five years, VIAV leads with a +198.5% price change compared with +122.0% for MXL. Viavi Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($11.38 billion vs $9.74 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Viavi Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (23.7x vs 41.1x for MaxLinear). Viavi Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -2.0% versus -29.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | MXL | VIAV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $107.36 | $46.27 |
| Market cap | $9.74B | $11.38B |
| 1-day change | -1.77% | -3.88% |
| YTD return | +515.95% | +159.65% |
| 1-year return | +588.65% | +265.77% |
| 5-year return | +122.00% | +198.52% |
| Forward P/E | 41.09 | 23.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.18 | $-0.12 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $467.64M | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +29.71% | +40.03% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-136.68M | $-30.40M |
| Gross margin | 56.84% | 57.66% |
| Operating margin | -27.13% | 6.92% |
| Net margin | -29.23% | -2.00% |
| 52-week high | $128.30 | $60.43 |
| 52-week low | $12.77 | $12.23 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.32% | -23.43% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | -11.93% | +32.76% |
| Average volume | 3.07M | 5.05M |
| Shares outstanding | 90.69M | 245.92M |
| Employees | 1,115 | 4,100 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- MXL has outperformed VIAV by 322.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Viavi Solutions is more profitable, keeping -2.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -29.2 cents for MaxLinear.
- Viavi Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+40.03% vs +29.71%).
About MaxLinear
MXL stock →MaxLinear, Inc. provides communications systems-on-chip solutions in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally.
Technology · Semiconductors · 1,115 employees
About Viavi Solutions
VIAV stock →Viavi Solutions Inc. engages in the provision of test and measurement and optical technologies for military, aerospace, railway and first responder communications in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Technology · Semiconductors · 4,100 employees
MXL vs VIAV FAQ
Which is bigger, MaxLinear or Viavi Solutions?
Viavi Solutions (VIAV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.38B compared with $9.74B for MaxLinear (MXL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MXL or VIAV?
MXL returned +588.65% over the past 12 months, compared with +265.77% for VIAV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are MaxLinear and Viavi Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.