CTS vs PLXS vs VICR vs NOVT vs MKSI

For growth investors, Vicor Corporation (VICR) is the stronger pick with 13.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 8% for Plexus Corp. (PLXS). CTS Corporation (CTS) offers the better valuation at 27. 3x trailing P/E (24. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Plexus Corp. (PLXS) a "Buy" — based on 18 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, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the cheapest at 27.

3x versus Vicor Corporation at 100. 1x. On forward P/E, CTS Corporation is actually cheaper at 24. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: CTS Corporation wins at 1. 58x versus Novanta Inc. 's 11. 61x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Vicor Corporation (VICR) delivered a total return of +201.

3%, compared to +5. 7% for Novanta Inc. (NOVT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VICR returned +27. 0% versus CTS's +253. 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), CTS Corporation (CTS) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

44β versus Vicor Corporation's 2. 79β — meaning VICR is approximately 94% more volatile than CTS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Vicor Corporation (VICR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Vicor Corporation (VICR) is pulling ahead at 13.

5% versus 1. 8% for Plexus Corp. (PLXS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Vicor Corporation grew EPS 1764% year-over-year, compared to -16. 9% for Novanta Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NOVT leads at 4. 4% 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.

Vicor Corporation (VICR) is the more profitable company, earning 29.

1% net margin versus 4. 3% for Plexus Corp. — meaning it keeps 29. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTS leads at 15. 6% versus 5. 0% for PLXS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VICR leads at 52. 6%, 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, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 58x versus Novanta Inc. 's 11. 61x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, CTS Corporation (CTS) trades at 24. 6x forward P/E versus 94. 3x for Vicor Corporation — 69. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NOVT: 10. 1% to $150. 00.

In this comparison, MKSI (0.

3% yield), CTS (0. 3% yield) pay a dividend. PLXS, VICR, NOVT do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CTS Corporation (CTS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+253.

2% 10Y return). Vicor Corporation (VICR) carries a higher beta of 2. 79 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTS: +253. 2%, VICR: +27. 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.