IZM vs LIQT vs CODA vs CLPS vs ACMR

For growth investors, Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is the stronger pick with 30. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -17. 0% for ICZOOM Group Inc. (IZM). Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) offers the better valuation at 32. 2x trailing P/E (22. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) 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 trailing P/E, Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is the cheapest at 32. 2x versus ACM Research, Inc. at 43. 2x. On forward P/E, Coda Octopus Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 5x. 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 Coda Octopus Group, Inc. 's 5. 24x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) delivered a total return of +133. 4%, compared to -96. 1% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACMR returned +30. 7% versus LIQT's -90. 9%. 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), ICZOOM Group Inc.

(IZM) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 74β versus ACM Research, Inc. 's 3. 24β — meaning ACMR is approximately -540% more volatile than IZM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 117% for LiqTech International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is pulling ahead at 30. 7% versus -17. 0% for ICZOOM Group Inc. (IZM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LiqTech International, Inc. grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to -229. 4% for ICZOOM Group 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.

Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 5% net margin versus -51. 7% for LiqTech International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CODA leads at 17. 1% versus -50. 3% for LIQT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CODA leads at 66. 5%, 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 Coda Octopus Group, Inc. 's 5. 24x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) trades at 22. 5x forward P/E versus 29. 7x for ACM Research, Inc. — 7. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CODA: 17. 6% to $14. 00.

In this comparison, CLPS (14.

6% yield), ACMR (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. IZM, LIQT, CODA do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, ICZOOM Group Inc.

(IZM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 74)). 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 (IZM: -88. 4%, 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (IZM (Technology) and LIQT (Industrials) and CODA (Industrials) and CLPS (Technology) and ACMR (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: IZM is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LIQT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CODA is a small-cap high-growth stock; CLPS is a small-cap high-growth stock; ACMR is a small-cap high-growth stock. CLPS pays a dividend while IZM, LIQT, CODA, ACMR 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.