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VECO vs TSM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Semiconductors
VECO vs TSM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $2.99B | $2.05T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $664M | $3.82T |
| Net Income (TTM) | $35M | $1.72T |
| Gross Margin | 40.0% | 59.9% |
| Operating Margin | 5.4% | 50.8% |
| Forward P/E | 29.6x | 0.8x |
| Total Debt | $258M | $990.36B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $163M | $2.76T |
VECO vs TSM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veeco Instruments I… (VECO) | 100 | 422.0 | +322.0% |
| Taiwan Semiconducto… (TSM) | 100 | 783.6 | +683.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VECO vs TSM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
VECO is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +155.1% vs TSM's +125.4%
TSM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.91, yield 0.7%
- Rev growth 33.0%, EPS growth 49.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.3%
- 16.5% 10Y total return vs VECO's 189.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 33.0% revenue growth vs VECO's -7.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (0.8x vs 29.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 45.1% margin vs VECO's 5.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.91 vs VECO's 1.97, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.7% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +155.1% vs TSM's +125.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 21.8% ROA vs VECO's 2.7%, ROIC 42.7% vs 2.8% |
VECO vs TSM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
VECO vs TSM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TSM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TSM is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.82T annually — 5748.9x VECO's $664M. TSM is the more profitable business, keeping 45.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VECO's 5.3%. On growth, TSM holds the edge at +21.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $664M | $3.82T |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $61M | $2.79T |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $35M | $1.72T |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $53M | $1.02T |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +40.0% | +59.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.4% | +50.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.3% | +45.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +8.0% | +26.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.4% | +21.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -93.0% | +42.0% |
Valuation Metrics
TSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 37.2x trailing earnings, TSM trades at a 56% valuation discount to VECO's 84.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, TSM's 23.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than VECO's 79.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.0B | $2.05T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.1B | $1.99T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 83.97x | 37.24x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 29.62x | 0.79x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.34x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 79.45x | 23.71x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.50x | 16.79x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.39x | 11.87x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 65.46x | 58.89x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TSM leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TSM delivers a 31.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $32 in annual profit, vs $4 for VECO. TSM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.18x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to VECO's 0.29x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TSM scores 8/9 vs VECO's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +4.1% | +31.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.7% | +21.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.8% | +42.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.2% | +33.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.29x | 0.18x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $94M | -$1.77T |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $163M | $2.76T |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $258M | $990.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.31x | 315.91x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TSM five years ago would be worth $35,014 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $22,416 for VECO. Over the past 12 months, VECO leads with a +155.1% total return vs TSM's +125.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TSM at 67.7% vs VECO's 38.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +62.2% | +23.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +155.1% | +125.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +166.9% | +372.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +124.2% | +250.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +189.2% | +1645.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +38.7% | +67.7% |
Risk & Volatility
TSM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TSM is the less volatile stock with a 1.91 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VECO's 1.97 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 | 1.97x | 1.91x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $53.43 | $414.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.31 | $170.59 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.7% | +95.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 73.8 | 64.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 13.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates VECO as "Buy" and TSM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 8.4% upside for TSM (target: $428) vs -29.9% for VECO (target: $35). TSM is the only dividend payer here at 0.73% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $34.75 | $427.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 25 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $90.94 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
TSM leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
VECO vs TSM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VECO or TSM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the stronger pick with 33.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 4% for Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO). Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) offers the better valuation at 37. 2x trailing P/E (0. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) a "Buy" — based on 36 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 — VECO or TSM?
On trailing P/E, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the cheapest at 37.
2x versus Veeco Instruments Inc. at 84. 0x. On forward P/E, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited is actually cheaper at 0. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VECO or TSM?
Over the past 5 years, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) delivered a total return of +250.
1%, compared to +124. 2% for Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TSM returned +1646% versus VECO's +189. 2%. 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 — VECO or TSM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
91β versus Veeco Instruments Inc. 's 1. 97β — meaning VECO is approximately 3% more volatile than TSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 18% versus 29% for Veeco Instruments Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VECO or TSM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is pulling ahead at 33.
0% versus -7. 4% for Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited grew EPS 49. 8% year-over-year, compared to -52. 0% for Veeco Instruments Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TSM leads at 19. 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 — VECO or TSM?
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the more profitable company, earning 45.
1% net margin versus 5. 3% for Veeco Instruments Inc. — meaning it keeps 45. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TSM leads at 50. 8% versus 5. 4% for VECO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TSM leads at 59. 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.
07Is VECO or TSM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) trades at 0.
8x forward P/E versus 29. 6x for Veeco Instruments Inc. — 28. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TSM: 8. 4% to $427. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — VECO or TSM?
In this comparison, TSM (0.
7% yield) pays a dividend. VECO does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is VECO or TSM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0.
7% yield, +1646% 10Y return). Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) carries a higher beta of 1. 97 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TSM: +1646%, VECO: +189. 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.
10What are the main differences between VECO and TSM?
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: VECO is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TSM is a mega-cap high-growth stock. TSM pays a dividend while VECO does 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.
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