VECO
Veeco Instruments Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$3.52B
5Y Perf.+391.7%
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Stock Comparison
VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
UCTT
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$3.63B
5Y Perf.+285.4%
ICHR
Ichor Holdings, Ltd.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$2.47B
5Y Perf.+213.1%
MKSI
MKS Inc.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$20.25B
5Y Perf.+184.8%
ENTG
Entegris, Inc.
Semiconductors
Market Cap$22.48B
5Y Perf.+146.6%
VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VECO | UCTT | ICHR | MKSI | ENTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors | Semiconductors | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $3.52B | $3.63B | $2.47B | $20.25B | $22.48B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $655M | $2.07B | $959M | $4.07B | $3.24B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $23M | $-194M | $-51M | $327M | $265M |
| Gross Margin | 38.6% | 15.6% | 11.3% | 45.2% | 43.2% |
| Operating Margin | 2.9% | -5.3% | -3.8% | 14.8% | 29.1% |
| Forward P/E | 34.5x | 34.4x | 62.2x | 30.4x | 41.4x |
| Total Debt | $258M | $810M | $186M | $4.69B | $3.89B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $163M | $312M | $98M | $675M | $360M |
VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VECO
UCTT
ICHR
MKSI
ENTG
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veeco Instruments I… (VECO) | 100 | 491.7 | +391.7% |
| Ultra Clean Holding… (UCTT) | 100 | 385.4 | +285.4% |
| Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR) | 100 | 313.1 | +213.1% |
| MKS Inc. (MKSI) | 100 | 284.8 | +184.8% |
| Entegris, Inc. (ENTG) | 100 | 246.6 | +146.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MKSI leads in 3 of 7 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. Ichor Holdings, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. VECO and ENTG also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
VECO
Veeco Instruments Inc.
The Defensive Pick
VECO ranks third and is worth considering specifically for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.97, Low D/E 29.1%, current ratio 4.75x
- Beta 1.97, current ratio 4.75x
- Beta 1.97 vs ICHR's 3.93
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and defensive
UCTT
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
UCTT is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 13.9% 10Y total return vs MKSI's 7.5%
Best for: long-term compounding
ICHR
Ichor Holdings, Ltd.
The Growth Leader
ICHR is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth and momentum is your priority.
- 11.6% revenue growth vs VECO's -7.4%
- +329.1% vs ENTG's +88.9%
Best for: growth and momentum
MKSI
MKS Inc.
The Income Pick
MKSI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 2.64, yield 0.3%
- Rev growth 9.6%, EPS growth 55.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.5%
- Lower P/E (30.4x vs 41.4x)
- 0.3% yield, vs ENTG's 0.3%, (3 stocks pay no dividend)
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
ENTG
Entegris, Inc.
The Quality Compounder
ENTG is the clearest fit if your priority is quality.
- 8.2% margin vs UCTT's -9.4%
Best for: quality
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ICHR | 11.6% revenue growth vs VECO's -7.4% |
| Value | MKSI | Lower P/E (30.4x vs 41.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | ENTG | 8.2% margin vs UCTT's -9.4% |
| Stability / Safety | VECO | Beta 1.97 vs ICHR's 3.93 |
| Dividends | MKSI | 0.3% yield, vs ENTG's 0.3%, (3 stocks pay no dividend) |
| Momentum (1Y) | ICHR | +329.1% vs ENTG's +88.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MKSI | 3.7% ROA vs UCTT's -11.0%, ROIC 6.5% vs 2.6% |
VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLVECOLAGGINGENTG
Who Leads Where
All categories tied
VECO leads 0 • UCTT leads 0 • ICHR leads 0 • MKSI leads 0 • ENTG leads 0 • 6 tied
Explore the data ↓ENTGEntegris, Inc.
0leads
MKSIMKS Inc.
0leads
ICHRIchor Holdings, Ltd.
0leads
UCTTUltra Clean Holdings,…
0leads
VECOVeeco Instruments Inc.
0leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs UCTTvs ICHRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — MKSI and ENTG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MKSI is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.1B annually — 6.2x VECO's $655M. ENTG is the more profitable business, keeping 8.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to UCTT's -9.4%. On growth, MKSI holds the edge at +15.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $655M | $2.1B | $959M | $4.1B | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $39M | -$52M | -$11M | $945M | $1.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $23M | -$194M | -$51M | $327M | $265M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $43M | -$44M | -$17M | $401M | $721M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.6% | +15.6% | +11.3% | +45.2% | +43.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +2.9% | -5.3% | -3.8% | +14.8% | +29.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.5% | -9.4% | -5.3% | +8.0% | +8.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +6.5% | -2.1% | -1.7% | +9.8% | +22.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -5.4% | +2.9% | +4.7% | +15.2% | +5.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -105.0% | -2.6% | +46.2% | +53.2% | +46.3% |
Evenly matched — MKSI and ENTG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 68.8x trailing earnings, MKSI trades at a 30% valuation discount to VECO's 97.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ENTG's 19.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than VECO's 93.1x.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $3.6B | $2.5B | $20.2B | $22.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.6B | $4.1B | $2.6B | $24.3B | $26.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 97.83x | -19.98x | -46.25x | 68.83x | 95.26x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 34.52x | 34.44x | 62.25x | 30.36x | 41.38x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 93.12x | 34.53x | — | 26.70x | 19.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.30x | 1.77x | 2.61x | 5.15x | 7.03x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.95x | 4.62x | 3.67x | 7.49x | 5.68x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 77.08x | 247.26x | — | 40.74x | 56.74x |
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 3 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MKSI delivers a 12.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $-25 for UCTT. ICHR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.28x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MKSI's 1.73x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), VECO scores 6/9 vs ICHR's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.6% | -25.4% | -7.5% | +12.2% | +6.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.8% | -11.0% | -5.2% | +3.7% | +3.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.8% | +2.6% | -3.9% | +6.5% | +9.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.2% | +2.9% | -4.7% | +7.2% | +11.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.29x | 1.03x | 0.28x | 1.73x | 0.98x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $94M | $499M | $87M | $4.0B | $3.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $163M | $312M | $98M | $675M | $360M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $258M | $810M | $186M | $4.7B | $3.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.64x | -5.80x | -5.97x | 2.84x | 2.47x |
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 3 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in VECO five years ago would be worth $25,461 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,895 for ICHR. Over the past 12 months, ICHR leads with a +329.1% total return vs ENTG's +88.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MKSI at 54.1% vs ENTG's 23.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +89.0% | +192.5% | +249.0% | +78.8% | +65.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +205.6% | +312.7% | +329.1% | +306.1% | +88.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +199.8% | +187.5% | +151.1% | +266.0% | +87.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +154.6% | +59.4% | +28.9% | +66.5% | +30.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +239.9% | +1385.1% | +629.1% | +750.6% | +1040.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +44.2% | +42.2% | +35.9% | +54.1% | +23.3% |
Evenly matched — ICHR and MKSI each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VECO and ICHR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VECO is the less volatile stock with a 1.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ICHR's 3.93 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ICHR currently trades 97.7% from its 52-week high vs VECO's 88.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.97x | 3.19x | 3.93x | 2.64x | 2.66x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $64.97 | $87.68 | $72.87 | $326.83 | $159.15 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.31 | $18.52 | $13.12 | $71.49 | $66.32 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.8% | +91.1% | +97.7% | +92.0% | +92.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 82.2 | 62.3 | 66.9 | 65.3 | 63.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 1.3M | 795K | 1.2M | 2.4M |
Evenly matched — VECO and ICHR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MKSI and ENTG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VECO as "Buy", UCTT as "Buy", ICHR as "Buy", MKSI as "Buy", ENTG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 6.4% upside for UCTT (target: $85) vs -39.8% for VECO (target: $35). For income investors, MKSI offers the higher dividend yield at 0.29% vs ENTG's 0.27%.
| Metric | VECOVeeco Instruments… | UCTTUltra Clean Holdi… | ICHRIchor Holdings, L… | MKSIMKS Inc. | ENTGEntegris, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $34.75 | $85.00 | $49.80 | $272.86 | $152.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 12 | 14 | 29 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | +0.3% | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | $0.87 | $0.40 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.1% | 0.0% | +0.2% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — MKSI and ENTG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
Both stocks are evenly matched across all financial categories.
Best OverallVeeco Instruments Inc. (VECO)Leads 0 of 6 categories
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VECO vs UCTT vs ICHR vs MKSI vs ENTG: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ichor Holdings, Ltd.
(ICHR) is the stronger pick with 11. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 4% for Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO). MKS Inc. (MKSI) offers the better valuation at 68. 8x trailing P/E (30. 4x 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 UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
On trailing P/E, MKS Inc.
(MKSI) is the cheapest at 68. 8x versus Veeco Instruments Inc. at 97. 8x. On forward P/E, MKS Inc. is actually cheaper at 30. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
Over the past 5 years, Veeco Instruments Inc.
(VECO) delivered a total return of +154. 6%, compared to +28. 9% for Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UCTT returned +1385% versus VECO's +239. 9%. 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 UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Veeco Instruments Inc.
(VECO) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 97β versus Ichor Holdings, Ltd. 's 3. 93β — meaning ICHR is approximately 99% more volatile than VECO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 28% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ichor Holdings, Ltd.
(ICHR) is pulling ahead at 11. 6% versus -7. 4% for Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MKS Inc. grew EPS 55. 5% year-over-year, compared to -869. 2% for Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MKSI leads at 3. 5% 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 UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
MKS Inc.
(MKSI) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 5% net margin versus -8. 8% for Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ENTG leads at 28. 9% versus -4. 1% for ICHR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ENTG 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.
07Is VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MKS Inc.
(MKSI) trades at 30. 4x forward P/E versus 62. 2x for Ichor Holdings, Ltd. — 31. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UCTT: 6. 4% to $85. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG?
In this comparison, MKSI (0.
3% yield), ENTG (0. 3% yield) pay a dividend. VECO, UCTT, ICHR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is VECO or UCTT or ICHR or MKSI or ENTG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.
(UCTT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1385% 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 (UCTT: +1385%, VECO: +239. 9%), 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 UCTT and ICHR and MKSI and ENTG?
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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