CDLX vs ACMR vs ICHR vs PERI vs MKSI

For growth investors, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the stronger pick with 15. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -16. 2% for Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX). ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) offers the better valuation at 43. 2x trailing P/E (29. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) a "Buy" — based on 10 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, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the cheapest at 43. 2x versus MKS Inc. at 68. 8x. On forward P/E, Perion Network Ltd. is actually cheaper at 8. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) delivered a total return of +133. 4%, compared to -99. 2% for Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACMR returned +30. 7% versus CDLX's -94. 2%. 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), Perion Network Ltd.

(PERI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 94β versus Ichor Holdings, Ltd. 's 3. 93β — meaning ICHR is approximately 317% more volatile than PERI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Perion Network Ltd. (PERI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is pulling ahead at 15. 2% versus -16. 2% for Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MKS Inc. grew EPS 55. 5% year-over-year, compared to -176. 0% for Perion Network Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ACMR leads at 32. 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.

ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 4% net margin versus -44. 4% for Cardlytics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MKSI leads at 14. 4% versus -20. 2% for CDLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CDLX leads at 45. 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, Perion Network Ltd.

(PERI) trades at 8. 9x forward P/E versus 62. 2x for Ichor Holdings, Ltd. — 53. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PERI: 29. 9% to $14. 00.

In this comparison, MKSI (0.

3% yield), ACMR (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. CDLX, ICHR, PERI do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Perion Network Ltd.

(PERI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 94), +139. 6% 10Y return). Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX) carries a higher beta of 3. 18 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PERI: +139. 6%, CDLX: -94. 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.

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

In terms of investment character: CDLX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ACMR is a small-cap high-growth stock; ICHR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PERI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MKSI is a mid-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.