INTT vs AEHR vs ACMR vs NVEC vs COHU

For growth investors, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the stronger pick with 15. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 9% for inTEST Corporation (INTT). NVE Corporation (NVEC) offers the better valuation at 28. 2x trailing P/E (18. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate inTEST Corporation (INTT) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, NVE Corporation (NVEC) is the cheapest at 28.

2x versus ACM Research, Inc. at 43. 2x. On forward P/E, NVE Corporation is actually cheaper at 18. 9x. 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 NVE Corporation's 3. 54x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) delivered a total return of +38.

9%, compared to +22. 2% for Cohu, Inc. (COHU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AEHR returned +70. 3% versus NVEC's +124. 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), inTEST Corporation (INTT) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

19β versus Aehr Test Systems's 4. 77β — meaning AEHR is approximately 300% more volatile than INTT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NVE Corporation (NVEC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 46% for Cohu, 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 -12. 9% for inTEST Corporation (INTT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NVE Corporation grew EPS 1. 0% year-over-year, compared to -187. 5% for inTEST Corporation. 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.

NVE Corporation (NVEC) is the more profitable company, earning 57.

7% net margin versus -16. 4% for Cohu, Inc. — meaning it keeps 57. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVEC leads at 60. 5% versus -13. 3% for COHU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVEC leads at 78. 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 NVE Corporation's 3. 54x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, NVE Corporation (NVEC) trades at 18. 9x forward P/E versus 89. 2x for Cohu, Inc. — 70. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for COHU: 4. 8% to $49. 75.

In this comparison, NVEC (4.

5% yield), ACMR (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. INTT, AEHR, COHU do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, NVE Corporation (NVEC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (4.

5% yield, +124. 0% 10Y return). ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) carries a higher beta of 3. 24 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVEC: +124. 0%, ACMR: +30. 7%), 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: INTT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AEHR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ACMR is a small-cap high-growth stock; NVEC is a small-cap income-oriented stock; COHU is a small-cap quality compounder stock. NVEC pays a dividend while INTT, AEHR, ACMR, COHU do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.