ACLS vs. KEYS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACLS (Axcelis Technologies, Inc.) and KEYS (Keysight Technologies, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — ACLS in Semiconductor Equipment & Materials, KEYS in Scientific & Technical Instruments. Over the past 10 years, ACLS returned 30.50%/yr vs 27.13%/yr for KEYS. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ACLS vs. KEYS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACLS achieves a 97.64% return, which is significantly higher than KEYS's 70.56% return. Over the past 10 years, ACLS has outperformed KEYS with an annualized return of 30.50%, while KEYS has yielded a comparatively lower 27.13% annualized return.

ACLS

• 1D: 5.56%
• 1M: 13.42%
• YTD: 97.64%
• 6M: 92.62%
• 1Y: 181.23%
• 3Y*: -0.74%
• 5Y*: 31.70%
• 10Y*: 30.50%

KEYS

• 1D: 5.02%
• 1M: -1.66%
• YTD: 70.56%
• 6M: 72.08%
• 1Y: 118.85%
• 3Y*: 28.52%
• 5Y*: 19.03%
• 10Y*: 27.13%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACLS vs. KEYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACLS Axcelis Technologies, Inc.	97.64%	14.98%	-46.13%	63.42%	6.44%	156.04%	20.83%	35.39%	-37.98%	97.25%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.	70.56%	26.50%	0.97%	-7.00%	-17.16%	56.34%	28.71%	65.32%	49.23%	13.75%

Correlation

The correlation between ACLS and KEYS is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2014	0.52

The correlation between ACLS and KEYS shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (all time) to 0.62 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap ACLS : $4.92B KEYS : $59.96B
EPS ACLS : $3.21 KEYS : $6.07
PE Ratio ACLS : 49.45 KEYS : 57.10
PEG Ratio ACLS : 2.91 KEYS : 10.10
PS Ratio ACLS : 5.90 KEYS : 13.72
PB Ratio ACLS : 4.71 KEYS : 9.47
Total Revenue (TTM) ACLS : $845.44M KEYS : $4.37B
Gross Profit (TTM) ACLS : $368.66M KEYS : $2.70B
EBITDA (TTM) ACLS : $129.11M KEYS : $997.00M

Return for Risk

ACLS vs. KEYS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACLS

ACLS Risk / Return Rank: 93
ACLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ACLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
ACLS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ACLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ACLS Martin Ratio Rank: 93

KEYS

KEYS Risk / Return Rank: 96
KEYS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
KEYS Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
KEYS Omega Ratio Rank: 95
KEYS Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
KEYS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACLS vs. KEYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACLS	KEYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	3.09	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	4.27	-0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.56	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.94	8.62	-1.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.16	28.39	-12.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACLS vs. KEYS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACLS Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is comparable to the KEYS Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACLS and KEYS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACLS	KEYS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	3.09	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.58	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.85	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.03	0.73	-0.70

Drawdowns

ACLS vs. KEYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACLS drawdown since its inception was -99.34%, which is greater than KEYS's maximum drawdown of -45.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACLS and KEYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACLS	KEYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.34%	-45.54%	-53.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.20%	-14.00%	-12.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.84%	-31.38%	-47.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.84%	-42.62%	-36.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.84%	-42.62%	-36.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.80%	-5.48%	-15.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-72.38%	-13.98%	-58.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.25%	4.25%	+7.00%

Volatility

ACLS vs. KEYS - Volatility Comparison

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) has a higher volatility of 25.95% compared to Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) at 10.49%. This indicates that ACLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KEYS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACLS	KEYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.95%	10.49%	+15.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	45.86%	30.95%	+14.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.01%	38.66%	+18.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	54.64%	32.72%	+21.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.36%	32.15%	+21.21%

Dividends

ACLS vs. KEYS - Dividend Comparison

Neither ACLS nor KEYS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACLS and KEYS in my portfolio?

ACLS and KEYS have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACLS or KEYS?

ACLS has higher volatility (25.95%) compared to KEYS (10.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACLS dropped -99.34% vs KEYS's -45.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 3.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.