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TSEM vs GFS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Semiconductors
TSEM vs GFS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $24.39B | $40.23B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.57B | $6.79B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $220M | $885M |
| Gross Margin | 23.2% | 25.2% |
| Operating Margin | 12.4% | 11.7% |
| Forward P/E | 72.5x | 39.2x |
| Total Debt | $162M | $1.64B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $235M | $1.81B |
TSEM vs GFS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Oct 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Semiconductor… (TSEM) | 100 | 680.5 | +580.5% |
| GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS) | 100 | 148.3 | +48.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TSEM vs GFS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TSEM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 9.1%, EPS growth 4.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.3%
- 17.4% 10Y total return vs GFS's 55.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.41, Low D/E 5.6%, current ratio 6.48x
GFS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- beta 1.85
- Beta 1.85, current ratio 2.62x
- Lower P/E (39.2x vs 72.5x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.1% revenue growth vs GFS's 0.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (39.2x vs 72.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 14.1% margin vs GFS's 13.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.85 vs TSEM's 2.41 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +5.0% vs GFS's +107.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.6% ROA vs GFS's 5.3%, ROIC 5.4% vs 5.3% |
TSEM vs GFS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
TSEM vs GFS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — TSEM and GFS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GFS is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.8B annually — 4.3x TSEM's $1.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 14.1% (TSEM) to 13.0% (GFS). On growth, TSEM holds the edge at +13.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.6B | $6.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $496M | $2.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $220M | $885M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$41M | $1.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +23.2% | +25.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.4% | +11.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.1% | +13.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +14.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.7% | 0.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +42.9% | +127.3% |
Valuation Metrics
GFS leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 45.5x trailing earnings, GFS trades at a 59% valuation discount to TSEM's 111.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, GFS's 19.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TSEM's 48.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $24.4B | $40.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $24.3B | $40.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 111.79x | 45.47x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 72.47x | 39.24x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 5.42x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 48.89x | 18.98x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 15.57x | 5.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.48x | 3.37x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 39.87x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TSEM leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GFS delivers a 7.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $8 for TSEM. TSEM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GFS's 0.14x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GFS scores 7/9 vs TSEM's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.6% | +7.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.6% | +5.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.4% | +5.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.6% | +5.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.06x | 0.14x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$74M | -$171M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $235M | $1.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $162M | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TSEM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TSEM five years ago would be worth $78,039 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,582 for GFS. Over the past 12 months, TSEM leads with a +504.8% total return vs GFS's +107.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TSEM at 71.8% vs GFS's 6.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +78.1% | +96.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +504.8% | +107.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +406.8% | +20.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +680.4% | +55.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1744.1% | +55.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +71.8% | +6.5% |
Risk & Volatility
GFS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GFS is the less volatile stock with a 1.85 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TSEM's 2.41 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.41x | 1.85x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $232.67 | $75.53 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $35.42 | $31.51 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.2% | +95.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.4 | 86.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.9M | 4.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TSEM as "Buy" and GFS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -29.0% upside for TSEM (target: $154) vs -29.3% for GFS (target: $51).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $154.00 | $51.14 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
GFS leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). TSEM leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
TSEM vs GFS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TSEM or GFS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
(TSEM) is the stronger pick with 9. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 6% for GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS). GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS) offers the better valuation at 45. 5x trailing P/E (39. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (TSEM) a "Buy" — based on 14 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.
02Which has the better valuation — TSEM or GFS?
On trailing P/E, GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
(GFS) is the cheapest at 45. 5x versus Tower Semiconductor Ltd. at 111. 8x. On forward P/E, GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. is actually cheaper at 39. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TSEM or GFS?
Over the past 5 years, Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
(TSEM) delivered a total return of +680. 4%, compared to +55. 8% for GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TSEM returned +1744% versus GFS's +55. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — TSEM or GFS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
(GFS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 85β versus Tower Semiconductor Ltd. 's 2. 41β — meaning TSEM is approximately 31% more volatile than GFS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (TSEM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 14% for GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TSEM or GFS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
(TSEM) is pulling ahead at 9. 1% versus 0. 6% for GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. grew EPS 431. 3% year-over-year, compared to 4. 9% for Tower Semiconductor Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TSEM leads at -2. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — TSEM or GFS?
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
(TSEM) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 1% net margin versus 13. 0% for GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TSEM leads at 12. 4% versus 11. 7% for GFS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GFS leads at 25. 2%, 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.
07Is TSEM or GFS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
(GFS) trades at 39. 2x forward P/E versus 72. 5x for Tower Semiconductor Ltd. — 33. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TSEM: -29. 0% to $154. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TSEM or GFS?
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.
09Is TSEM or GFS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
(TSEM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1744% 10Y return). GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GFS) carries a higher beta of 1. 85 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TSEM: +1744%, GFS: +55. 8%), 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.
10What are the main differences between TSEM and GFS?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
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