ASYS vs UCTT

For growth investors, Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

(UCTT) is the stronger pick with -2. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 6% for Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS). 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.

Over the past 5 years, Amtech Systems, Inc.

(ASYS) delivered a total return of +125. 5%, compared to +84. 0% for Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (UCTT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UCTT returned +1519% versus ASYS's +257. 0%. 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), Amtech Systems, Inc.

(ASYS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 84β versus Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. 's 3. 21β — meaning UCTT is approximately 75% more volatile than ASYS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 103% for Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

(UCTT) is pulling ahead at -2. 1% versus -21. 6% for Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Amtech Systems, Inc. grew EPS -253. 3% year-over-year, compared to -869. 2% for Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, UCTT leads at -4. 7% 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.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

(UCTT) is the more profitable company, earning -8. 8% net margin versus -38. 2% for Amtech Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps -8. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UCTT leads at 2. 1% versus -35. 9% for ASYS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASYS leads at 34. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

(UCTT) trades at 37. 5x forward P/E versus 67. 2x for Amtech Systems, Inc. — 29. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UCTT: 14. 8% to $100. 00.

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.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

(UCTT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1519% 10Y return). Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS) carries a higher beta of 1. 84 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (UCTT: +1519%, ASYS: +257. 0%), 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.

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.