Axcelis Technologies (ACLS) Competitors

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) and Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) are both mid-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, community ranking and risk.

Which has more volatility and risk, MKSI or ACLS?

MKS Instruments has a beta of 1.84, suggesting that its stock price is 84% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Axcelis Technologies has a beta of 1.52, suggesting that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the MarketBeat Community favor MKSI or ACLS?

Axcelis Technologies received 4 more outperform votes than MKS Instruments when rated by MarketBeat users. However, 71.80% of users gave MKS Instruments an outperform vote while only 71.21% of users gave Axcelis Technologies an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
MKS Instruments	Outperform Votes 555 71.80%	Underperform Votes 218 28.20%
Axcelis Technologies	Outperform Votes 559 71.21%	Underperform Votes 226 28.79%

Does the media refer more to MKSI or ACLS?

In the previous week, Axcelis Technologies had 2 more articles in the media than MKS Instruments. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for Axcelis Technologies and 5 mentions for MKS Instruments. Axcelis Technologies' average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat MKS Instruments' score of 0.50 indicating that Axcelis Technologies is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
MKS Instruments	3 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Axcelis Technologies	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Do analysts recommend MKSI or ACLS?

MKS Instruments presently has a consensus price target of $134.92, suggesting a potential upside of 42.67%. Axcelis Technologies has a consensus price target of $131.00, suggesting a potential upside of 79.19%. Given Axcelis Technologies' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Axcelis Technologies is more favorable than MKS Instruments.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
MKS Instruments	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	10 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.92
Axcelis Technologies	0 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.29

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in MKSI or ACLS?

99.8% of MKS Instruments shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.0% of Axcelis Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of MKS Instruments shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Axcelis Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Is MKSI or ACLS more profitable?

Axcelis Technologies has a net margin of 19.75% compared to MKS Instruments' net margin of 5.30%. Axcelis Technologies' return on equity of 21.02% beat MKS Instruments' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
MKS Instruments	5.30%	18.94%	5.02%
Axcelis Technologies	19.75%	21.02%	15.22%

Which has preferable valuation and earnings, MKSI or ACLS?

Axcelis Technologies has lower revenue, but higher earnings than MKS Instruments. Axcelis Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MKS Instruments, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
MKS Instruments	$3.65B	1.75	$190M	$3.35	28.23
Axcelis Technologies	$958.06M	2.45	$200.99M	$5.46	13.39

Summary

Axcelis Technologies beats MKS Instruments on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.