MAX vs ACMR

For growth investors, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the stronger pick with 28. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 15. 2% for ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR). MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) offers the better valuation at 23. 0x trailing P/E (8. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) a "Buy" — based on 9 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the cheapest at 23. 0x versus ACM Research, Inc. at 40. 4x. On forward P/E, MediaAlpha, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) delivered a total return of +120. 6%, compared to -76. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACMR returned +28. 6% versus MAX's -71. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus ACM Research, Inc. 's 3. 24β — meaning ACMR is approximately 219% more volatile than MAX relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is pulling ahead at 28. 8% versus 15. 2% for ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MediaAlpha, Inc. grew EPS 25. 8% year-over-year, compared to -10. 5% for ACM Research, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MAX leads at 34. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 4% net margin versus 2. 3% for MediaAlpha, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ACMR leads at 12. 1% versus 7. 0% for MAX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ACMR leads at 44. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) trades at 8. 5x forward P/E versus 27. 8x for ACM Research, Inc. — 19. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MAX: 25. 4% to $11. 25.

In this comparison, ACMR (0.

2% yield) pays a dividend. MAX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 01)). ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) carries a higher beta of 3. 24 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MAX: -71. 8%, ACMR: +28. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (MAX (Communication Services) and ACMR (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.