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COHR vs ESE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coherent Corp. (COHR) vs. ESCO Technologies (ESE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COHR (Coherent Corp.) is a high-beta, AI-driven photonics and optical networking leader, while ESE (ESCO Technologies) is a diversified industrial, defense, and utility-solutions compounder with far lower volatility.
- Recent market activity has favored stability: COHR has pulled back sharply below its short- and medium-term moving averages, whereas ESE has held up better behind record backlog and repeatedly raised guidance.
- Both companies are growing, but on very different trajectories: COHR generated about $7.12 billion in fiscal 2026 revenue, while ESE guided to roughly $1.29–$1.33 billion with 33–37% adjusted EPS (earnings per share) growth.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: ESE — its more consistent trend, lower beta (a measure of volatility), and diversified catalysts currently make it the stronger relative candidate.
- For more detail, explore COHR Major News and COHR Today's Price Move, plus ESE Major News and ESE Today's Price Move.
- To see which automated strategies are performing best right now, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
This stock comparison places two very different industrial-technology leaders side by side. COHR (Coherent Corp.) sits at the center of the artificial-intelligence (AI) data-center buildout through its lasers, transceivers, and optical components. ESE (ESCO Technologies) spans aerospace and defense, utility testing, and radio-frequency (RF) test and measurement. Growth-oriented investors weighing AI momentum against diversified, lower-volatility exposure may find this relative performance analysis especially relevant, while traders seeking trend consistency and defined catalysts can use it to compare market positioning across two distinct sectors.
COHR Overview and Recent Performance
COHR is a global leader in photonics, developing lasers, optical transceivers, and related components used across data-center, communications, and industrial markets. Its data-center and communications segment has become the dominant growth engine, accounting for the large majority of recent revenue as AI infrastructure demand accelerates. In fiscal 2026, the company reported revenue of roughly $7.12 billion, up more than 20% year over year, supported by record orders and a multi-billion-dollar partnership commitment from chipmaker Nvidia.
Despite strong fundamentals, recent market activity has been volatile. The stock has pulled back meaningfully from its 52-week high and, in recent weeks, has traded below key moving averages as broader AI-hardware sentiment cooled following mixed earnings from large technology names. A proposed takeover of rival Lumentum has also refocused attention on competitive dynamics and margins. Analysts remain broadly constructive with a consensus Buy rating, though some firms have trimmed price targets, reflecting both strong demand visibility and ongoing execution and pricing risks.
ESE Overview and Recent Performance
ESE operates through three segments: Aerospace & Defense, Utility Solutions, and RF Test & Measurement. Its products include filtration and fluid-control systems, naval and aerospace components, and diagnostic instruments used by electric utilities. This diversification spans defense spending, grid modernization, and data-center shielding, reducing reliance on any single end market.
Recent performance has been steady rather than spectacular. The company reported record backlog and order growth across all three segments, with aerospace and defense orders nearly doubling year over year in its latest quarter. Management has raised adjusted EPS guidance multiple times, now targeting 33–37% growth for fiscal 2026, and reaffirmed revenue guidance of roughly $1.29–$1.33 billion. A pivotal catalyst is the announced $2.35 billion acquisition of Megger Group, expected to meaningfully expand its utility-solutions scale. The stock carries a far lower beta than COHR and has shown more measured price behavior amid recent market turbulence.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron maintains a curated Trending AI Robots section that highlights the automated trading bots best suited to current market conditions. While Tickeron offers hundreds of AI trading bots covering thousands of different tickers, only a select group earns placement in this featured list. These bots vary widely in trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and the sets of tickers they trade, giving users a range of approaches to evaluate. The curated selection helps traders identify strategies demonstrating favorable recent performance rather than sifting through the full catalog. For those interested in applying systematic, data-driven approaches to names like COHR and ESE, exploring the Trending AI Robots page is a practical next step.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The core contrast is concentration versus diversification. COHR offers direct, high-beta exposure to the AI data-center cycle, with powerful growth but meaningful sensitivity to shifts in AI-hardware sentiment and competitive optics pricing. Its beta of roughly 2.1 underscores that volatility, and its recent pullback below moving averages signals weaker near-term trend consistency.
ESE, by comparison, blends defense, aerospace, utility, and test-and-measurement demand with a beta well below 1.0 and a modest dividend. Its risk factors are more diffuse — renewable-energy softness, acquisition integration, and defense-budget timing — rather than a single concentrated theme. In terms of catalysts, COHR leans on AI capacity ramps and new optical platforms, while ESE's outlook hinges on the Megger integration and sustained grid-modernization spending. For market positioning, COHR represents higher-upside, higher-volatility momentum, whereas ESE offers more consistent compounding and a steadier relative trend.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor ESE over COHR in the current environment. ESE's lower volatility, record backlog, repeatedly raised guidance, and diversified catalyst set support a more consistent trend profile, while COHR's recent move below key moving averages indicates weaker short-term trend stability despite stronger headline growth. This is a probabilistic assessment of trend consistency and relative positioning rather than a definitive prediction — a reversal in AI-hardware sentiment could quickly reshape the comparison.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is COHR is a Hold and ESE is a Buy.
COHR in downward trend: 10-day moving average moved below 50-day moving average on October 16, 2026
The 10-day moving average for COHR crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 16, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 13 of 13 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 10, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on COHR as a result. In 74 of 85 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 87%.
COHR moved below its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 50-day moving average for COHR moved below the 200-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where COHR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 79%.
The Aroon Indicator for COHR entered a downward trend on November 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where COHR's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 22 of 28 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for COHR just turned positive on November 10, 2026. Looking at past instances where COHR's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 36 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
Following a +32.65% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where COHR advanced for three days, in 293 of 347 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
COHR may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 57 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 81, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 64 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. COHR’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 73 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly better than average sales and a considerably profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 79 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.463) is normal, around the industry mean (1.448). P/E Ratio (44.426) is within average values for comparable stocks, (5.350). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.330) is also within normal values, averaging (5.470). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.012) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (7.955) is also within normal values, averaging (32.028).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 96 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
ESE's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ESE turned positive on November 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where ESE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 37 of 47 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where ESE's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 12 of 17 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 71%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 43 of 58 cases where ESE's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
Following a +6.56% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ESE advanced for three days, in 213 of 347 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
ESE may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 11, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ESE as a result. In 54 of 88 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 61%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ESE declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 55%.
The Aroon Indicator for ESE entered a downward trend on November 03, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 37 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 81, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 62 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ESE’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 93 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.691) is normal, around the industry mean (1.448). P/E Ratio (18.917) is within average values for comparable stocks, (5.350). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (12.750) is also within normal values, averaging (5.470). Dividend Yield (0.001) settles around the average of (0.012) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.208) is also within normal values, averaging (32.028).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 94 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
COHR | ESE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 67 | 11 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 93 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 57 | 37 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 73 | 45 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 64 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 96 | 94 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 65 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
COHR's Valuation (79) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as ESE (93) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that COHR’s stock grew similarly to ESE’s over the last 12 months.
ESE's Profit vs Risk Rating (37) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as COHR (57) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that ESE’s stock grew similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
ESE's SMR Rating (45) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as COHR (73) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that ESE’s stock grew similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
ESE's Price Growth Rating (62) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as COHR (64) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that ESE’s stock grew similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
ESE's P/E Growth Rating (94) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as COHR (96) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that ESE’s stock grew similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
| COHR | ESE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 79% | 1 day ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 87% | 1 day ago 61% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 79% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 84% | 1 day ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 79% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 84% | 5 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 79% | 9 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 88% | 1 day ago 70% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 79% | 1 day ago 56% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
COHR’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while ESE’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- COHR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- ESE’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
COHR’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ESE’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COHR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 7 bearish.
- ESE’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
COHR (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) experienced а +36.71% price change this week, while ESE (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) price change was +4.22% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Equipment/Instruments industry was +5.65%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -11.54%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.27%.
Reported Earning Dates
COHR is expected to report earnings on Feb 10, 2027.
ESE is expected to report earnings on Nov 19, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Equipment/Instruments (+5.65% weekly)This industry manufactures electronic products used in various critical and sophisticated technologies, including laser-based systems, circuit and continuity testers, electro-optical measuring instruments and high-speed precision weighing and inspection equipment. Some major companies operating in this business are Canon Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., and Fortive Corp.
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COHR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, COHR has been closely correlated with MKSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 76% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if COHR jumps, then MKSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To COHR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHR | 100% | -1.04% | ||
| MKSI - COHR | 76% Closely correlated | -1.99% | ||
| KEYS - COHR | 67% Closely correlated | -0.46% | ||
| VPG - COHR | 53% Loosely correlated | -1.65% | ||
| ST - COHR | 52% Loosely correlated | -2.23% | ||
| ESE - COHR | 47% Loosely correlated | -1.71% | ||
More | ||||
ESE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ESE has been loosely correlated with MKSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ESE jumps, then MKSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ESE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESE | 100% | -1.71% | ||
| MKSI - ESE | 57% Loosely correlated | -1.99% | ||
| KEYS - ESE | 56% Loosely correlated | -0.46% | ||
| TDY - ESE | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.55% | ||
| ST - ESE | 48% Loosely correlated | -2.23% | ||
| VPG - ESE | 44% Loosely correlated | -1.65% | ||
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| MAXJ | 29.55 | -0.02 | -0.08% |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) | |||
| VUSG | 61.35 | -0.33 | -0.54% |
| Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) | |||
| GNR | 73.27 | -0.42 | -0.57% |
| State Street SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR) | |||
| PAPI | 28.47 | -0.19 | -0.66% |
| Parametric Equity Premium Income ETF (PAPI) | |||
| HODU | 6.54 | -0.52 | -7.37% |
| Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF (HODU) | |||