Quick verdict: AEHR vs CTLP in 2026

CTLP appears to have a significant edge over AEHR in this 2026 comparison, demonstrating superior performance across most key financial metrics. Cantaloupe emerges as the clear growth leader with positive revenue expansion, the value leader with a more attractive P/B ratio and substantial DCF upside, and the margin leader showcasing positive net and EBITDA margins. Analysts also favor CTLP with a “Buy” consensus and a higher percentage of buy ratings, projecting significantly less downside than for AEHR. Not investment advice.

AEHR vs CTLP: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of AEHR and CTLP across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-05-08.

AEHR vs CTLP valuation comparison

When comparing AEHR vs CTLP valuation, the picture presents a stark contrast regarding their financial health and market perception. Aehr Test Systems (AEHR), currently priced at $91.26 with a market capitalization of $2.87 billion, exhibits a P/E ratio of -245.38x. This negative P/E ratio is a critical indicator that the company is not currently profitable and is, in fact, experiencing significant losses. Furthermore, AEHR’s P/B ratio is notably high at 20.18x, suggesting that its market price is substantially above its book value per share, which can often point to an expensive valuation relative to its tangible assets. Compounding these concerns, AEHR’s Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation suggests a massive downside of -101.7% from its current price, implying it is heavily overvalued based on its future cash flow projections.

Cantaloupe, Inc. (CTLP), priced at $11.2 with a market cap of $825.67 million, shows a considerably more attractive valuation profile for investors seeking positive fundamentals. CTLP’s P/E ratio is 223.69x, which, while high, is positive, signaling profitability unlike AEHR. More impressively for the AEHR vs CTLP valuation, CTLP’s P/B ratio is a much lower 3.29x, indicating a more reasonable price relative to its book assets and a less stretched valuation. The DCF model for CTLP projects a substantial positive upside of +30.3%, suggesting that the stock could be undervalued based on its expected future cash flow generation. Based on these metrics, particularly P/B and DCF, CTLP presents a considerably more appealing valuation for investors in 2026.

AEHR vs CTLP growth comparison

The AEHR vs CTLP growth comparison reveals divergent trajectories for the two companies, with Cantaloupe demonstrating significantly stronger momentum. Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) has recently faced considerable headwinds, which are clearly reflected in its year-over-year revenue growth rate of -10.9%. This contraction indicates a challenging period for the company, marked by declining sales and a shrinking market presence. The negative net margin of -25.23% and EBITDA margin of -29.97% further underscore operational difficulties and a fundamental lack of profitability, which could severely hinder any potential for future growth investments and expansion. Investors examining AEHR vs CTLP fundamentals and valuation for growth would find this trend highly concerning.

In stark contrast, Cantaloupe, Inc. (CTLP) demonstrates a healthy and positive growth trajectory, with its revenue increasing by 12.6% year-over-year. This robust positive momentum indicates a company that is successfully expanding its market share and generating increasing sales. While CTLP’s net margin of 1.15% and EBITDA margin of 7.56% are modest, they are crucially positive, signifying operational efficiency and a capacity for profitability that can fuel sustained growth. The stronger revenue growth and positive operational margins suggest that CTLP possesses more robust momentum and a greater underlying capacity for future expansion and reinvestment compared to AEHR. For those focused on a company’s ability to grow, CTLP presents a much more favorable outlook.

AEHR vs CTLP profitability

Evaluating AEHR vs CTLP profitability highlights Cantaloupe’s significantly stronger financial health and operational efficiency. Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) reported a deeply concerning net margin of -25.23%, indicating substantial losses relative to its revenue. This means that for every dollar of sales, AEHR is losing a quarter of that amount after all expenses. Similarly, its EBITDA margin stands at -29.97%, further illustrating severe operational inefficiencies and unprofitability before accounting for interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The company’s Return on Equity (ROE) is N/A%, suggesting that available equity might be negative or too volatile for a meaningful calculation at this time, which is often a red flag for financial stability. AEHR also exhibits a negative Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield of -0.4%, meaning it is burning cash rather than generating it from its core operations, a unsustainable position in the long run.

Cantaloupe, Inc. (CTLP), on the other hand, demonstrates positive profitability across key metrics, albeit modestly. CTLP achieved a net margin of 1.15% and an EBITDA margin of 7.56%. These positive margins indicate that the company is effectively managing its costs and operations to generate a profit from its sales. Similar to AEHR, CTLP’s ROE is N/A%, precluding a direct comparison on this specific metric. However, CTLP’s FCF yield is a positive 1.87%, signifying that the company is generating healthy cash flow from its business activities. This positive cash generation capacity is a critical indicator of financial stability and the ability to fund future operations and investments without relying heavily on external financing. Overall, CTLP clearly generates more cash and is significantly more profitable than AEHR.

Analyst ratings: AEHR vs CTLP

The consensus among financial analysts provides further crucial insights into the AEHR vs CTLP stock comparison 2026, revealing a clear preference for one company over the other. For Aehr Test Systems (AEHR), only 3 analysts currently cover the stock, indicating relatively limited institutional interest. Of these, 33.3% have issued a “Buy” rating, which means only one analyst out of three recommends buying the stock. The overall consensus among these analysts for AEHR is a “Hold.” The average price target set by these analysts is $62, representing a substantial downside of -32.1% from its current price of $91.26. This indicates that analysts, on average, expect AEHR’s stock price to decline significantly, reflecting deep concerns about its current valuation and future prospects.

In contrast, Cantaloupe, Inc. (CTLP) garners coverage from a larger pool of 5 analysts, suggesting broader institutional attention. A higher percentage, 40.0% of these analysts, recommend “Buy” for CTLP, signaling more confidence in its future performance and potential. The overall analyst consensus for CTLP is a definitive “Buy,” a strong endorsement from the analyst community. The average price target for CTLP is $11, which is very close to its current price of $11.2, implying a slight downside of -1.8%. While this projected upside is minimal, the “Buy” consensus and the significantly less negative target imply that analysts generally view CTLP as a solid investment at its current price, with potential for stability and modest growth, in stark contrast to AEHR’s projected sharp decline. Based on these analyst ratings, CTLP is the clear favorite.

Should I buy AEHR or CTLP stock in 2026?

When considering should I buy AEHR or CTLP stock in 2026, the decision largely depends on an investor’s specific risk appetite and investment goals. For growth-oriented investors, Cantaloupe (CTLP) presents a significantly more compelling case. With a healthy revenue growth rate of 12.6% year-over-year and positive net (1.15%) and EBITDA (7.56%) margins, CTLP demonstrates stronger operational momentum and the ability to expand profitably. AEHR, with its -10.9% revenue decline and deep negative margins, is currently not a suitable candidate for growth investors, as it is contracting and unprofitable.

For value investors examining AEHR vs CTLP fundamentals and valuation, CTLP again holds the distinct advantage. Its lower P/B ratio of 3.29x compared to AEHR’s elevated 20.18x suggests a much more reasonable valuation relative to its assets. Crucially, CTLP’s Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model points to a positive 30.3% upside, indicating potential undervaluation. In stark contrast, AEHR shows a dire -101.7% downside from its DCF, highlighting extreme overvaluation based on future cash flow. While CTLP’s P/E is high, it is at least positive, indicating profitability, unlike AEHR’s negative P/E which signifies current losses.

Regarding income, neither AEHR nor CTLP are attractive options for dividend-seeking investors in 2026, as both companies currently maintain a 0% dividend yield. Therefore, investors prioritizing regular income streams would need to look elsewhere. Based on a comprehensive review of growth, valuation, and profitability metrics, Cantaloupe (CTLP) appears to be the stronger contender in this AEHR vs CTLP stock comparison 2026 for investors seeking either growth or value. This is not investment advice; please conduct your own thorough research and consult with a financial professional.

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FAQ: AEHR vs CTLP