MAX vs ACMR vs ICHR vs QNST vs MKSI

For growth investors, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) is the stronger pick with 78. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 6% for MKS Inc. (MKSI). MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) offers the better valuation at 23. 4x trailing P/E (8. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the cheapest at 23. 4x versus QuinStreet, Inc. at 163. 7x. On forward P/E, MediaAlpha, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 4x.

Over the past 5 years, ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) delivered a total return of +167. 3%, compared to -77. 3% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACMR returned +31. 0% versus MAX's -71. 4%. 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), MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus Ichor Holdings, Ltd. 's 3. 78β — meaning ICHR is approximately 298% more volatile than MAX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(QNST) is pulling ahead at 78. 3% versus 9. 6% for MKS Inc. (MKSI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: QuinStreet, Inc. grew EPS 114. 2% year-over-year, compared to -140. 6% for Ichor Holdings, Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MAX leads at 34. 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.

ACM Research, Inc.

(ACMR) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 4% net margin versus -5. 6% for Ichor Holdings, Ltd. — meaning it keeps 10. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MKSI leads at 14. 4% versus -4. 1% for ICHR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ACMR leads at 44. 4%, 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, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) trades at 8. 4x forward P/E versus 54. 0x for Ichor Holdings, Ltd. — 45. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ACMR: 25. 3% to $75. 00.

In this comparison, MKSI (0.

3% yield), ACMR (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. MAX, ICHR, QNST do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95)). ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) carries a higher beta of 3. 17 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MAX: -71. 4%, ACMR: +31. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (MAX (Communication Services) and ACMR (Technology) and ICHR (Technology) and QNST (Communication Services) and MKSI (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: MAX is a small-cap high-growth stock; ACMR is a small-cap high-growth stock; ICHR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; QNST 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.