ASYS vs AXTI vs COHU vs SWKS

For growth investors, Cohu, Inc.

(COHU) is the stronger pick with 12. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 6% for Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS). Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS) offers the better valuation at 21. 7x trailing P/E (13. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS) 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 forward P/E, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 13. 4x.

Over the past 5 years, AXT, Inc.

(AXTI) delivered a total return of +1196%, compared to -52. 0% for Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AXTI returned +36. 2% versus SWKS's +33. 9%. 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), Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

(SWKS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 30β versus AXT, Inc. 's 4. 06β — meaning AXTI is approximately 212% more volatile than SWKS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AXT, Inc. (AXTI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 20% versus 46% for Cohu, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(COHU) is pulling ahead at 12. 7% versus -21. 6% for Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cohu, Inc. grew EPS -6. 7% year-over-year, compared to -253. 3% for Amtech Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ASYS leads at -9. 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.

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

(SWKS) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 7% net margin versus -38. 2% for Amtech Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SWKS leads at 12. 2% versus -35. 9% for ASYS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SWKS leads at 41. 2%, 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, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

(SWKS) trades at 13. 4x forward P/E versus 468. 6x for AXT, Inc. — 455. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SWKS: 8. 3% to $72. 30.

In this comparison, SWKS (4.

2% yield) pays a dividend. ASYS, AXTI, COHU do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

(SWKS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (4. 2% yield). AXT, Inc. (AXTI) carries a higher beta of 4. 06 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SWKS: +33. 9%, AXTI: +36. 2%), 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: ASYS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AXTI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; COHU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SWKS is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. SWKS pays a dividend while ASYS, AXTI, COHU do 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.