ACLS vs TSM

For growth investors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the stronger pick with 33.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -17. 6% for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS). Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) offers the better valuation at 36. 8x trailing P/E (38. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) a "Buy" — based on 12 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, Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

(ACLS) is the cheapest at 36. 8x versus Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited at 37. 2x. On forward P/E, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited is actually cheaper at 0. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited wins at 0. 03x versus Axcelis Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 82x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) delivered a total return of +250.

1%, compared to +249. 9% for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TSM returned +1646% versus ACLS's +1264%. 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), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

91β versus Axcelis Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 00β — meaning ACLS is approximately 5% more volatile than TSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 18% for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is pulling ahead at 33.

0% versus -17. 6% for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited grew EPS 49. 8% year-over-year, compared to -38. 2% for Axcelis Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TSM leads at 19. 3% 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.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the more profitable company, earning 45.

1% net margin versus 14. 3% for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 45. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TSM leads at 50. 8% versus 14. 2% for ACLS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TSM leads at 59. 9%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 03x versus Axcelis Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 82x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) trades at 0. 8x forward P/E versus 38. 3x for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. — 37. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TSM: 8. 4% to $427. 50.

In this comparison, TSM (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. ACLS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0.

7% yield, +1646% 10Y return). Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) carries a higher beta of 2. 00 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TSM: +1646%, ACLS: +1264%), 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.

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: ACLS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TSM is a mega-cap high-growth stock. TSM pays a dividend while ACLS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.