Axcelis Technologies (ACLS)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $87.93 | Market Cap: $2.8 BilSector: Information Technology | Industry: Semiconductor Materials & Equipment
Axcelis Technologies (ACLS)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $87.93Market Cap: $2.8 BilSector: Information TechnologyIndustry: Semiconductor Materials & Equipment
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -13% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -78%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -57% | Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -21%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -17% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15% | Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12% | Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 114% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include AI Chips, Show more. |
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -13% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include AI Chips, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -78%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -57% |
| Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -21%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -17% |
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 114% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
ACLS Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Axcelis Technologies (ACLS) stock movements around the approximate period from August 31, 2025, to December 5, 2025, can be attributed to several key factors based on the most recent available information. The company's third-quarter 2025 performance and forward-looking statements played a significant role.
1. Better-than-Expected Q3 2025 Earnings: Axcelis Technologies reported robust financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) of $1.21, significantly exceeding forecasts by 21%, and revenue of $213.6 million, which also surpassed expectations. This positive earnings surprise led to a notable pre-market increase of 7.58% in share price.
2. Strategic Merger Announcement: The company announced a strategic merger with Veeco, aimed at enhancing its market position within the semiconductor equipment industry. This move is anticipated to strengthen Axcelis's competitive landscape and foster future growth.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| ACLS Return | 21% | 156% | 6% | 63% | -46% | 28% | 270% |
| Peers Return | 99% | 12% | -3% | 27% | -12% | 10% | 163% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 17% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| ACLS Win Rate | 67% | 67% | 42% | 58% | 25% | 40% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 58% | 45% | 45% | 57% | 43% | 52% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| ACLS Max Drawdown | -44% | -2% | -36% | -1% | -47% | -39% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -46% | -14% | -37% | -29% | -28% | -33% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ACA, RUN, GFF, ENOV, AZTA. See ACLS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/4/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | ACLS | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -41.9% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 72.1% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 164 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -53.3% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 114.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 109 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -61.6% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 160.5% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 568 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -97.9% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 4723.5% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 5117 days | 1480 days |
Compare to ACA, RUN, GFF, ENOV, AZTA
In The Past
Axcelis Technologies's stock fell -41.9% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 3/24/2022. A -41.9% loss requires a 72.1% gain to breakeven.
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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to ACLS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | ENPH | Enphase Energy | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 1.9% | 1.9% | -0.9% |
| 11262025 | PD | PagerDuty | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | CRM | Salesforce | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 5.1% | 5.1% | -0.1% |
| 11212025 | HUBS | HubSpot | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 5.5% | 5.5% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | FIVN | Five9 | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 8.0% | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| 07312025 | ACLS | Axcelis Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 30.0% | 30.0% | 0.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | ENPH | Enphase Energy | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 1.9% | 1.9% | -0.9% |
| 11262025 | PD | PagerDuty | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | CRM | Salesforce | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 5.1% | 5.1% | -0.1% |
| 11212025 | HUBS | HubSpot | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 5.5% | 5.5% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | FIVN | Five9 | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 8.0% | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| 07312025 | ACLS | Axcelis Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 30.0% | 30.0% | 0.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Axcelis Technologies
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 54.20 |
| Mkt Cap | 3.1 |
| Rev LTM | 2,275 |
| Op Inc LTM | 39 |
| FCF LTM | 88 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 75 |
| CFO LTM | 177 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 148 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 12.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 5.0% |
| Rev Chg Q | 4.2% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 3.4% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 2.0% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 1.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.6% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 9.9% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 9.5% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 3.1% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 3.1 |
| P/S | 1.7 |
| P/EBIT | 6.7 |
| P/E | 10.6 |
| P/CFO | 9.5 |
| Total Yield | -2.3% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 2.0% |
| D/E | 0.4 |
| Net D/E | 0.4 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 3.1% |
| 3M Rtn | 10.3% |
| 6M Rtn | 22.3% |
| 12M Rtn | -5.9% |
| 3Y Rtn | -14.9% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 1.9% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -0.5% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 6.9% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -19.2% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -84.3% |
Comparison Analyses
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11062025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 8052025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5062025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2282025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11072024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8012024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5022024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2232024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11022023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8032023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5052023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2242023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11032022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8042022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5052022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2252022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | KURTZWEIL JOHN T | 5212025 | Sell | 61.93 | 1,682 | 104,166 | 2,170,646 | Form |
External Quote Links
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