KEYS vs. ACLS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

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

Performance

KEYS vs. ACLS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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

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%

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%

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

KEYS vs. ACLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

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

Correlation

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

Fundamentals

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

Return for Risk

KEYS vs. ACLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

KEYS vs. ACLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) and Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS). 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.

	KEYS	ACLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.09	3.20	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	3.53	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.45	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.62	6.94	+1.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	28.39	16.16	+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.

KEYS vs. ACLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KEYS Sharpe Ratio is 3.09, which is comparable to the ACLS Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KEYS and ACLS, 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

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

Drawdowns

KEYS vs. ACLS - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

KEYS vs. ACLS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) is 10.49%, while Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) has a volatility of 25.95%. This indicates that KEYS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ACLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

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

Dividends

KEYS vs. ACLS - Dividend Comparison

Neither KEYS nor ACLS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KEYS and ACLS in my portfolio?

KEYS and ACLS 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, KEYS or ACLS?

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

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.