CPSH vs AMAT vs ACMR vs MKSI

For growth investors, CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH) is the stronger pick with 54.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 4% for Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT). 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 Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) a "Buy" — based on 53 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 CPS Technologies Corporation at 137. 4x. On forward P/E, ACM Research, Inc. is actually cheaper at 29. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: ACM Research, Inc. wins at 0. 84x versus Applied Materials, Inc. 's 2. 16x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Applied Materials, Inc.

(AMAT) delivered a total return of +213. 8%, compared to -42. 7% for CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACMR returned +30. 7% versus CPSH's +108. 3%. 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), CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

06β versus ACM Research, Inc. 's 3. 24β — meaning ACMR is approximately 206% more volatile than CPSH relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH) is pulling ahead at 54.

3% versus 4. 4% for Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CPS Technologies Corporation grew EPS 112. 4% year-over-year, compared to -10. 5% for ACM Research, Inc.. 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.

Applied Materials, Inc.

(AMAT) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 7% net margin versus 1. 3% for CPS Technologies Corporation — meaning it keeps 24. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMAT leads at 29. 2% versus 1. 4% for CPSH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMAT leads at 48. 7%, 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, ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 84x versus Applied Materials, Inc. 's 2. 16x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) trades at 29. 7x forward P/E versus 37. 1x for Applied Materials, Inc. — 7. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMAT: 3. 9% to $426. 39.

In this comparison, AMAT (0.

4% yield), MKSI (0. 3% yield), ACMR (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. CPSH does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CPS Technologies Corporation (CPSH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

06), +108. 3% 10Y return). Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 14 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CPSH: +108. 3%, AMAT: +20. 1%), 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: CPSH is a small-cap high-growth stock; AMAT is a large-cap quality compounder stock; ACMR is a small-cap high-growth 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.