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COHR vs KEYS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coherent Corp. (COHR) vs. Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COHR has seen a sharper short‑term price rally (≈5% over recent weeks) on renewed AI data‑center demand, while KEYS posted a steadier gain (≈2‑3%) on broader AI‑infrastructure growth.
- Both companies benefit from AI‑driven traffic, but COHR’s positioning is more focused on high‑power lasers and photonic transceivers, whereas KEYS offers a wider test‑and‑measurement portfolio across communications, semiconductor and automotive markets.
- COHR’s valuation remains elevated (P/E ≈ 160) relative to KEYS (P/E ≈ 53), reflecting higher growth expectations but also greater pricing risk.
- Risk factors differ: COHR faces supply‑chain exposure in semiconductor components, while KEYS wrestles with cyclical demand in test equipment and potential pricing pressure from larger competitors.
Introduction
Investors seeking exposure to the AI‑fuelled wave in technology hardware often compare Coherent Corp. (COHR) and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). Both are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, operate in the scientific‑instrument sector, and derive sizable revenue from customers building the next generation of data‑center and communications infrastructure. This article dissects their recent market performance, business fundamentals, and risk profiles to help traders and longer‑term investors gauge which name may align better with current market dynamics.
COHR Overview and Recent Performance
Coherent Corp. (formerly II‑VI) is a leading provider of engineered optical materials, high‑power lasers and photonic components for data‑center networking, semiconductor manufacturing and precision‑material processing. The firm reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $1.81 billion, a modest 1.4% beat versus consensus, and EPS of $1.41, also above estimates. Recent weeks have featured a price surge of roughly 5% after the company announced a new silicon‑carbide (SiC) epitaxy line capable of supporting AI‑grade 10 kV power devices, a move BofA highlighted with a raised price target to $400.
Market sentiment has been buoyed by analysts citing the “AI data‑center forecast”—a projected $1.7 trillion spend on optical interconnects—where Coherent’s 1.6 T‑DR8 silicon‑photonic transceiver is positioned as a tier‑1 solution. The stock’s beta (5‑year monthly) stands near 2.0, indicating higher volatility. On the balance sheet, cash totals $2.4 billion against $0.6 billion of total debt, delivering a comfortable current ratio of 2.7. However, the high P/E (≈ 160) and price‑to‑sales (≈ 9) suggest the market is pricing in aggressive growth, leaving limited upside cushion if AI spend moderates.
KEYS Overview and Recent Performance
Keysight Technologies, Inc. delivers electronic design‑automation (EDA) software, test and measurement hardware, and services for wireless, data‑center, automotive and aerospace customers. The company’s two segments—Communications Solutions Group (CSG) and Electronic Industrial Solutions Group (EISG)—generated combined FY 2026 revenue of $5.68 billion, up ~3% YoY, with EPS of $5.68. Recent price action shows a 2.6% increase over the past month, driven by strong demand for 5G/6G test equipment and a series of product launches that expand its AI‑network validation suite.
Keysight’s market‑cap of roughly $50 billion reflects its diversified client base. The firm posted a solid net margin of 16.9% and a return on equity (ROE) of 17.2%, underscoring efficient operations. Its balance sheet is leaner, with a debt‑to‑equity of 44% and a current ratio near 2.6. Valuation metrics are more moderate: P/E ≈ 53 and price‑to‑book ≈ 8, indicating a “pricey” but not hyper‑valued position relative to peers. The beta of 1.15 points to lower price swings than COHR, appealing to investors preferring steadier exposure.
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Head‑to‑Head Comparison
- Business Model: COHR sells high‑margin photonic components and laser systems largely to OEMs; KEYS sells test‑and‑measurement hardware plus software subscriptions to a broader set of end‑users.
- Growth Drivers: COHR’s upside hinges on AI‑driven data‑center interconnects and high‑power SiC devices; KEYS benefits from 5G/6G rollout, semiconductor validation and automotive electronics.
- Recent Momentum: COHR posted a sharper price rally (+5% vs. +2‑3% for KEYS) but with higher volatility.
- Risk Factors: COHR faces semiconductor supply constraints and dependence on a limited number of large customers; KEYS confronts cyclical test‑equipment demand and pricing pressure from larger competitors.
- Valuation: COHR trades at a premium (P/E ≈ 160) versus KEYS (P/E ≈ 53), reflecting divergent growth expectations.
- Sector Exposure: Both sit in “Scientific & Technical Instruments,” yet COHR’s revenue is more concentrated in networking optics, while KEYS enjoys diversification across communications, industrial and automotive test markets.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trends—COHR’s recent price acceleration, strong AI‑data‑center order pipeline, and elevated valuation, versus KEYS’ broader product breadth, solid profitability and more modest valuation—the Tickeron AI engine currently leans slightly toward KEYS. The model weighs consistency of earnings, lower beta and diversification as positive signals, suggesting a higher probability of sustained performance in the near term, while still acknowledging COHR’s upside potential if AI‑related capital spending accelerates.
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.” Disclaimers and Limitations
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 KEYS is a StrongBuy.
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 undervalued. 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 1 FA rating(s) are green whileKEYS’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- COHR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KEYS’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 KEYS’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COHR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KEYS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
COHR (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) experienced а +2.13% price change this week, while KEYS (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) price change was +6.32% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Equipment/Instruments industry was +1.14%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +13.08%, and the average quarterly price growth was +23.28%.
Reported Earning Dates
COHR is expected to report earnings on Aug 13, 2026.
KEYS is expected to report earnings on Aug 19, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Equipment/Instruments (+1.14% 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.
| COHR | KEYS | COHR / KEYS | |
| Capitalization | 75.3B | 59.9B | 126% |
| EBITDA | 1.23B | 1.64B | 75% |
| Gain YTD | 108.609 | 72.582 | 150% |
| P/E Ratio | 183.35 | 56.47 | 325% |
| Revenue | 6.6B | 6.09B | 108% |
| Total Cash | 2.42B | 2.41B | 100% |
| Total Debt | 3.43B | 2.76B | 124% |
COHR | KEYS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 77 | 61 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 81 Overvalued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 5 | 18 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 86 | 49 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 20 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
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.
KEYS's Valuation (65) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as COHR (81). This means that KEYS’s stock grew similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
COHR's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as KEYS (18). This means that COHR’s stock grew similarly to KEYS’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's SMR Rating (49) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is somewhat better than the same rating for COHR (86). This means that KEYS’s stock grew somewhat faster than COHR’s over the last 12 months.
COHR's Price Growth Rating (35) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as KEYS (38). This means that COHR’s stock grew similarly to KEYS’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's P/E Growth Rating (20) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is somewhat better than the same rating for COHR (55). This means that KEYS’s stock grew somewhat faster than COHR’s over the last 12 months.
| COHR | KEYS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 80% | 7 days ago 64% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 75% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 54% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 82% | 3 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 87% | 3 days ago 47% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | 3 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 79% | 5 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 76% | 7 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 89% | 3 days ago 46% |
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COHR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, COHR has been loosely correlated with MKSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if COHR jumps, then MKSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To COHR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHR | 100% | +5.90% | ||
| MKSI - COHR | 61% Loosely correlated | +3.00% | ||
| KEYS - COHR | 50% Loosely correlated | +3.13% | ||
| ST - COHR | 42% Loosely correlated | +1.10% | ||
| BKSY - COHR | 38% Loosely correlated | -9.87% | ||
| VPG - COHR | 35% Loosely correlated | -1.54% | ||
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KEYS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KEYS has been loosely correlated with ST. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KEYS jumps, then ST could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KEYS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEYS | 100% | +3.13% | ||
| ST - KEYS | 54% Loosely correlated | +1.10% | ||
| MKSI - KEYS | 50% Loosely correlated | +3.00% | ||
| COHR - KEYS | 50% Loosely correlated | +5.90% | ||
| TDY - KEYS | 48% Loosely correlated | +0.37% | ||
| ESE - KEYS | 43% Loosely correlated | -0.69% | ||
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