HURC vs FORM

For growth investors, FormFactor, Inc.

(FORM) is the stronger pick with 2. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 3% for Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC). FormFactor, Inc. (FORM) offers the better valuation at 209. 7x trailing P/E (66. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC) a "Buy" — based on 1 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, Hurco Companies, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 7. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, FormFactor, Inc.

(FORM) delivered a total return of +273. 9%, compared to -46. 0% for Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FORM returned +1952% versus HURC's -36. 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), Hurco Companies, Inc.

(HURC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 86β versus FormFactor, Inc. 's 2. 02β — meaning FORM is approximately 135% more volatile than HURC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, FormFactor, Inc. (FORM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 6% for Hurco Companies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(FORM) is pulling ahead at 2. 8% versus -4. 3% for Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hurco Companies, Inc. grew EPS 8. 6% year-over-year, compared to -22. 5% for FormFactor, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FORM leads at 1. 6% 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.

FormFactor, Inc.

(FORM) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 9% net margin versus -8. 5% for Hurco Companies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FORM leads at 8. 2% versus -5. 8% for HURC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FORM leads at 39. 1%, 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, Hurco Companies, Inc.

(HURC) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 66. 5x for FormFactor, Inc. — 58. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

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, FormFactor, Inc.

(FORM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1952% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FORM: +1952%, HURC: -36. 3%), 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 (HURC (Industrials) and FORM (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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.