MTSI vs COHU

For growth investors, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is the stronger pick with 32. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 7% for Cohu, Inc. (COHU). Analysts rate MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (MTSI) a "Buy" — based on 23 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.

Over the past 5 years, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) delivered a total return of +470. 3%, compared to +31. 4% for Cohu, Inc. (COHU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MTSI returned +700. 5% versus COHU's +345. 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), MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 75β versus Cohu, Inc. 's 2. 13β — meaning COHU is approximately 22% more volatile than MTSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (MTSI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 41% versus 46% for Cohu, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is pulling ahead at 32. 6% versus 12. 7% for Cohu, Inc. (COHU). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cohu, Inc. grew EPS -6. 7% year-over-year, compared to -170. 2% for MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MTSI leads at 12. 7% 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.

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is the more profitable company, earning -5. 6% net margin versus -16. 4% for Cohu, Inc. — meaning it keeps -5. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MTSI leads at 13. 4% versus -13. 3% for COHU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MTSI leads at 54. 9%, 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, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) trades at 69. 2x forward P/E versus 93. 2x for Cohu, Inc. — 24. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for COHU: 0. 3% to $49. 75.

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, MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

(MTSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+700. 5% 10Y return). Cohu, Inc. (COHU) carries a higher beta of 2. 13 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MTSI: +700. 5%, COHU: +345. 2%), 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: MTSI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; COHU is a small-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.