PDFS
PDF Solutions, Inc.
Software - Application
Market Cap$1.90B
5Y Perf.+179.6%
Compare Stocks
3 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ONTO
Onto Innovation Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$13.63B
5Y Perf.+781.7%
COHU
Cohu, Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$2.23B
5Y Perf.+215.3%
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | PDFS | ONTO | COHU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $1.90B | $13.63B | $2.23B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $231M | $1.03B | $481M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $7M | $106M | $-56M |
| Gross Margin | 72.5% | 48.8% | 25.7% |
| Operating Margin | 6.8% | 10.0% | -10.6% |
| Forward P/E | 42.7x | 38.7x | 89.2x |
| Total Debt | $77M | $17M | $359M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $42M | $346M | $227M |
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
PDFS
ONTO
COHU
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) | 100 | 279.6 | +179.6% |
| Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO) | 100 | 881.7 | +781.7% |
| Cohu, Inc. (COHU) | 100 | 315.3 | +215.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ONTO leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Cohu, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
PDFS
PDF Solutions, Inc.
The Income Pick
PDFS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 2.21
- Rev growth 22.0%, EPS growth -116.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.8%
- 22.0% revenue growth vs ONTO's 1.8%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
ONTO
Onto Innovation Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
ONTO has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in long-term compounding.
- 14.3% 10Y total return vs COHU's 330.2%
- Lower P/E (38.7x vs 89.2x)
- 10.3% margin vs COHU's -11.5%
Best for: long-term compounding
COHU
Cohu, Inc.
The Defensive Pick
COHU is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 2.13, Low D/E 45.8%, current ratio 6.88x
- Beta 2.13, current ratio 6.88x
- Beta 2.13 vs ONTO's 2.66
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PDFS | 22.0% revenue growth vs ONTO's 1.8% |
| Value | ONTO | Lower P/E (38.7x vs 89.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | ONTO | 10.3% margin vs COHU's -11.5% |
| Stability / Safety | COHU | Beta 2.13 vs ONTO's 2.66 |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 3 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | COHU | +199.7% vs ONTO's +118.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ONTO | 4.7% ROA vs COHU's -4.9%, ROIC 5.7% vs -5.7% |
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2014
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 3 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLONTOLAGGINGCOHU
Who Leads Where
ONTO leads in 4 of 6 categories
PDFS leads 1 • COHU leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓COHUCohu, Inc.
0leads
PDFSPDF Solutions, Inc.
1leads
ONTOOnto Innovation Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PDFSvs COHUMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ONTO3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ONTO3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ONTO8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ONTO4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PDFS1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ONTO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ONTO is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.0B annually — 4.5x PDFS's $231M. ONTO is the more profitable business, keeping 10.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to COHU's -11.5%. On growth, COHU holds the edge at +29.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $231M | $1.0B | $481M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $23M | $158M | -$11M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7M | $106M | -$56M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18M | $239M | $32M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +72.5% | +48.8% | +25.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.8% | +10.0% | -10.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.1% | +10.3% | -11.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -7.8% | +23.2% | +6.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.9% | +9.5% | +29.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.5% | -48.5% | +60.6% |
ONTO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ONTO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ONTO's 68.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PDFS's 112.7x.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.9B | $13.6B | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.9B | $13.3B | $2.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2926.38x | 98.57x | -29.86x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 42.68x | 38.74x | 89.21x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.85x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 112.71x | 68.79x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 8.69x | 13.56x | 4.93x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.92x | 6.43x | 2.82x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 45.47x | 207.83x |
ONTO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ONTO leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ONTO delivers a 5.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $-7 for COHU. ONTO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to COHU's 0.46x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ONTO scores 4/9 vs PDFS's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.7% | +5.2% | -6.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.7% | +4.7% | -4.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +5.7% | -5.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.9% | +6.5% | -5.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.28x | 0.01x | 0.46x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $34M | -$329M | $132M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $42M | $346M | $227M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $77M | $17M | $359M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.85x | — | -168.82x |
ONTO leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ONTO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ONTO five years ago would be worth $41,263 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,218 for COHU. Over the past 12 months, COHU leads with a +199.7% total return vs ONTO's +118.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ONTO at 47.1% vs PDFS's 7.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +61.4% | +65.2% | +92.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +149.7% | +118.9% | +199.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +23.0% | +218.0% | +40.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +149.9% | +312.6% | +22.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +269.5% | +1431.7% | +330.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.1% | +47.1% | +12.1% |
ONTO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PDFS and COHU each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
COHU is the less volatile stock with a 2.13 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ONTO's 2.66 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PDFS currently trades 94.6% from its 52-week high vs ONTO's 86.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.21x | 2.66x | 2.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $50.44 | $315.86 | $50.68 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.35 | $85.88 | $15.34 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.6% | +86.8% | +93.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.3 | 61.0 | 75.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 403K | 832K | 953K |
Evenly matched — PDFS and COHU each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PDFS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: PDFS as "Buy", ONTO as "Buy", COHU as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 12.5% upside for ONTO (target: $308) vs 0.6% for PDFS (target: $48).
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | ONTOOnto Innovation I… | COHUCohu, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.00 | $308.33 | $49.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 11 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +0.6% | +0.3% |
PDFS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ONTO leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). PDFS leads in 1 (Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallOnto Innovation Inc. (ONTO)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
PDFS vs ONTO vs COHU: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PDFS or ONTO or COHU a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PDF Solutions, Inc.
(PDFS) is the stronger pick with 22. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 8% for Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO). Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO) offers the better valuation at 98. 6x trailing P/E (38. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) a "Buy" — based on 5 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.
02Which has the better valuation — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
On forward P/E, Onto Innovation Inc.
is actually cheaper at 38. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
Over the past 5 years, Onto Innovation Inc.
(ONTO) delivered a total return of +312. 6%, compared to +22. 2% for Cohu, Inc. (COHU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ONTO returned +1432% versus PDFS's +269. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cohu, Inc.
(COHU) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 13β versus Onto Innovation Inc. 's 2. 66β — meaning ONTO is approximately 25% more volatile than COHU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 46% for Cohu, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PDF Solutions, Inc.
(PDFS) is pulling ahead at 22. 0% versus 1. 8% for Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cohu, Inc. grew EPS -6. 7% year-over-year, compared to -116. 3% for PDF Solutions, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PDFS leads at 13. 8% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
Onto Innovation Inc.
(ONTO) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 6% net margin versus -16. 4% for Cohu, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ONTO leads at 13. 2% versus -13. 3% for COHU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PDFS leads at 74. 0%, 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.
07Is PDFS or ONTO or COHU more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Onto Innovation Inc.
(ONTO) trades at 38. 7x forward P/E versus 89. 2x for Cohu, Inc. — 50. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ONTO: 12. 5% to $308. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — PDFS or ONTO or COHU?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is PDFS or ONTO or COHU better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Onto Innovation Inc.
(ONTO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1432% 10Y return). PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) carries a higher beta of 2. 21 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ONTO: +1432%, PDFS: +269. 5%), 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.
10What are the main differences between PDFS and ONTO and COHU?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PDFS is a small-cap high-growth stock; ONTO is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; COHU is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform all of them.
Revenue Growth>
%
(PDFS: 25.9% · ONTO: 9.5%)Net Margin>
%
(PDFS: 3.1% · ONTO: 10.3%)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.