Common register allocation / spilling problem: mul lr, r4, lr str lr, [sp, #+52] ldr lr, [r1, #+32] sxth r3, r3 ldr r4, [sp, #+52] mla r4, r3, lr, r4 can be: mul lr, r4, lr mov r4, lr str lr, [sp, #+52] ldr lr, [r1, #+32] sxth r3, r3 mla r4, r3, lr, r4 and then "merge" mul and mov: mul r4, r4, lr str lr, [sp, #+52] ldr lr, [r1, #+32] sxth r3, r3 mla r4, r3, lr, r4 It also increase the likelyhood the store may become dead.