NASDAQ:ACLS: a strong growth stock preparing for the next leg up?.

Growth investors are on the lookout for stocks displaying robust revenue and EPS growth. In this analysis, we'll assess whether AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES INC (NASDAQ:ACLS) aligns with growth investing criteria, especially as it consolidates and signals a possible breakout. As always, investors should conduct their own research, but AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES INC has surfaced on our radar for growth with base formation, warranting further examination.

Growth Analysis for NASDAQ:ACLS

ChartMill assigns a proprietary Growth Rating to each stock. The score is computed by evaluating various growth aspects, like EPS and revenue growth. We take into account the history as well as the estimated future numbers. NASDAQ:ACLS was assigned a score of 8 for growth:

• ACLS shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 36.08%, which is quite impressive.
• ACLS shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 40.65% yearly.
• ACLS shows a strong growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 22.88%.
• Measured over the past years, ACLS shows a very strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 20.63% on average per year.
• The Revenue is expected to grow by 10.27% on average over the next years. This is quite good.

Analyzing Health Metrics

To gauge a stock's financial health, ChartMill utilizes a Health Rating on a scale of 0 to 10. This comprehensive evaluation encompasses liquidity and solvency, both in absolute terms and in comparison to industry peers. NASDAQ:ACLS has earned a 8 out of 10:

• ACLS has an Altman-Z score of 7.91. This indicates that ACLS is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
• Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 7.91, ACLS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 76.42% of the companies in the same industry.
• The Debt to FCF ratio of ACLS is 0.33, which is an excellent value as it means it would take ACLS, only 0.33 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
• The Debt to FCF ratio of ACLS (0.33) is better than 81.13% of its industry peers.
• A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.05 indicates that ACLS is not too dependend on debt financing.
• Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.05, ACLS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 61.32% of the companies in the same industry.
• ACLS has a Current Ratio of 3.79. This indicates that ACLS is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
• Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 3.79, ACLS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 62.26% of the companies in the same industry.
• A Quick Ratio of 2.71 indicates that ACLS has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.

Looking at the Profitability

ChartMill employs its own Profitability Rating system for stock evaluation. This score, ranging from 0 to 10, is derived from an analysis of diverse profitability metrics and margins. In the case of NASDAQ:ACLS, the assigned 8 is noteworthy for profitability:

• Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 19.21%, ACLS belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 91.51% of the companies in the same industry.
• Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 28.47%, ACLS belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 86.79% of the companies in the same industry.
• The Return On Invested Capital of ACLS (23.70%) is better than 93.40% of its industry peers.
• The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for ACLS is significantly above the industry average of 11.60%.
• The 3 year average ROIC (22.37%) for ACLS is below the current ROIC(23.70%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
• ACLS has a Profit Margin of 21.78%. This is in the better half of the industry: ACLS outperforms 78.30% of its industry peers.
• In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of ACLS has grown nicely.
• The Operating Margin of ACLS (23.51%) is better than 78.30% of its industry peers.
• In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of ACLS has grown nicely.

Why is NASDAQ:ACLS a setup?

ChartMill takes into account not only the Technical Rating but also assigns a Setup Rating to each stock. This rating, on a scale of 0 to 10, reflects the degree of consolidation observed based on short-term technical indicators. Currently, NASDAQ:ACLS exhibits a 8 setup rating, indicating its consolidation status in recent days and weeks.

ACLS has a bad technical rating, but it does show a decent setup pattern. Prices have been consolidating lately and the volatility has been reduced. There is a support zone below the current price at 109.65, a Stop Loss order could be placed below this zone.

More Strong Growth stocks can be found in our Strong Growth screener.

Our latest full fundamental report of ACLS contains the most current fundamental analsysis.

Our latest full technical report of ACLS contains the most current technical analsysis.

Disclaimer

This article should in no way be interpreted as advice in any way. The article is based on the observed metrics at the time of writing, but you should always make your own analysis and trade or invest at your own responsibility.