MKSI
TechnologyMKS Inc. · Hardware, Equipment & Parts · $22B
What is MKS Inc.?
MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, systems, and process control solutions used in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industrial applications. Headquartered in Andover, the company serves customers across multiple high-technology end markets.
MKS Inc. generates revenue by supplying the precision tools and subsystems that manufacturers rely on to control critical process parameters. Its three segments — Vacuum & Analysis, Light & Motion, and Equipment & Solutions — cover everything from pressure measurement and power delivery to laser-based systems for printed circuit board manufacturing. Customers depend on MKS technology to maintain process accuracy in etching, deposition, and other demanding fabrication steps.
MKS Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Andover, US.
- Pressure and vacuum measurement and control solutions
- RF power delivery and plasma generation systems
- Laser and photonics products for industrial applications
- Motion control and optical table systems
- Laser-based PCB manufacturing and interconnect processing systems
Is MKSI a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates MKSI as Below Average overall.
The most notable bright spot in MKSI's profile is its Risk pillar, which scores Strong — suggesting the company carries a relatively manageable risk profile compared with many peers in the technology sector. The Moat and Growth pillars both register as Neutral, indicating the business holds a defensible but not dominant competitive position while growth prospects are neither exceptional nor alarming.
The Quality pillar is rated Weak, pointing to concerns around underlying business fundamentals that investors should weigh carefully. Valuation sits at Neutral, meaning the stock is not obviously cheap relative to its quality profile.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does MKSI pay dividends?
Yes — MKS Inc. pays a dividend.
MKS Inc. pays a regular dividend, which is somewhat uncommon among technology-sector companies that often prioritize reinvestment. For income-oriented investors, this signals a degree of financial commitment to shareholder returns. The dividend cadence is consistent with standard US-listed equity practice, though investors should review the current yield and payout details on the company's investor relations page before drawing conclusions.
When does MKSI report earnings?
MKS Inc. reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
Given the Weak Quality pillar rating, recent earnings periods have likely reflected pressure on underlying business fundamentals. The Neutral Growth rating suggests results have been neither strongly accelerating nor sharply declining on a trend basis.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit MKS Inc.'s investor relations page directly.
MKSI Price History
+50.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in MKS Inc.?
Based on MKS Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
MKSI Long-term Outlook
The combination of a Neutral Growth pillar and a Strong Risk pillar suggests MKS Inc. is navigating a period of moderate, measured expansion rather than rapid scaling. The company's exposure to semiconductor capital equipment cycles means its trajectory is closely tied to broader industry investment patterns. A Weak Quality pillar introduces uncertainty about whether near-term growth can translate into durable profitability improvements.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in semiconductor capital equipment spending cycles
- Expanding demand for precision process control in advanced chip fabrication
- Laser and photonics applications in next-generation electronics manufacturing
Key risks
- Cyclical downturns in semiconductor and electronics end markets
- Weak Quality pillar signals potential pressure on margins or returns
- Integration and execution risks from a broad, multi-segment product portfolio
MKSI vs Peers
MKS Inc. operates in a competitive landscape alongside diversified industrial technology companies that also serve precision measurement and process control markets.
Fortive is a broader industrial technology conglomerate with a wider range of workflow and sensing solutions beyond semiconductor process control.
Trimble focuses on positioning and workflow technology across construction, agriculture, and geospatial markets, giving it a different end-market exposure than MKSI.
Fabrinet is a contract manufacturer specializing in optical and electro-mechanical components, competing with MKSI in photonics-adjacent supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MKS Inc. do?
MKS Inc. designs and manufactures instruments, systems, and process control solutions used primarily in semiconductor fabrication and advanced electronics manufacturing. Its products measure, monitor, and control critical parameters like pressure, power, and gas flow. The company operates through three segments: Vacuum & Analysis, Light & Motion, and Equipment & Solutions.
Does MKSI pay dividends?
Yes, MKS Inc. pays a regular dividend. This is relatively uncommon among technology-sector peers, many of which reinvest cash into growth. Investors seeking income should check the current yield and payout schedule on the company's investor relations page, as these details can change.
When does MKSI report earnings?
MKS Inc. follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence, as is typical for US-listed companies. Specific dates are announced in advance by the company. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit MKS Inc.'s investor relations page.
Is MKSI a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates MKSI as Below Average overall. The Risk pillar is Strong, but the Quality pillar is Weak, which raises questions about underlying business fundamentals. Whether MKSI fits a portfolio depends on individual goals and risk tolerance. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is MKSI overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for MKSI is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly cheap nor obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. Given the Weak Quality rating, a Neutral valuation does not necessarily indicate a margin of safety. Pro members can view the detailed valuation metrics.
How does MKSI compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Fortive, Trimble, and Fabrinet, MKS Inc. is more narrowly focused on semiconductor process control and photonics. Its Below Average UQS Score reflects a weaker quality profile than some diversified industrial technology competitors. The UQS comparison tool lets Pro members benchmark pillar scores side by side.
What is MKSI's market cap bracket?
MKS Inc. is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among established, well-recognized players in the technology and industrial equipment space, typically associated with greater liquidity and analyst coverage than smaller peers.
Who founded MKS Inc.?
MKS Inc. was established in 1999. Detailed founding history, including the names of original founders, is publicly available through the company's official corporate history and investor relations materials.
Is MKSI a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, MKSI's Below Average UQS Score and Weak Quality pillar suggest caution. The Strong Risk pillar is a positive signal for stability, but sustained long-term quality typically requires stronger fundamentals. Investors focused on long-term compounding may want to monitor whether the Quality pillar improves over time.
What is the main competitive advantage of MKS Inc.?
MKS Inc.'s Moat pillar is rated Neutral, indicating a defensible but not dominant competitive position. The company benefits from deep integration into semiconductor manufacturing workflows, where switching costs and technical expertise create some barriers. However, the moat is not considered exceptional relative to sector peers.
What sector does MKSI belong to?
MKSI operates in the Technology sector, specifically within semiconductor equipment and process control. Its products are critical enablers of chip fabrication, making the company's performance closely linked to semiconductor capital expenditure cycles and broader electronics demand trends.
Unlock Full MKSI Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View the exact UQS Score and all five pillar ratings
- ✓Access detailed financial metrics and trend data
- ✓Compare MKSI pillar scores against sector peers
- ✓See the complete Quality and Valuation breakdown
- ✓Track score changes as new data is released
- ✓Explore curated screens filtered by pillar strength
Pro Analysis
MKSI — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 43.3 | 28.3 | 42.0 | 57.7 | 39.7 | 55.0 | -0.1 |
| May 14, 2026 | 43.4 | 28.3 | 42.0 | 57.5 | 39.7 | 55.7 | -5.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 48.5 | 28.2 | 42.0 | 51.6 | 81.6 | 55.8 | -0.2 |
| May 4, 2026 | 48.7 | 28.2 | 42.0 | 51.6 | 81.6 | 57.4 | 0.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 48.7 | 28.2 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 57.4 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 48.6 | 28.2 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 57.2 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 48.6 | 28.2 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 56.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 48.8 | 28.4 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 57.8 | -0.7 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 49.5 | 28.4 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 62.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 49.5 | 28.4 | 42.0 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 63.1 | -0.8 |
MKSI — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 28.3/100 (25%)MKS Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 57.7/100 (20%)MKS Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 39.7/100 (15%)MKS Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 54.9/100 (15%)MKS Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 42/100 (25%)MKS Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MKSI.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the MKSI UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for MKS Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses MKS Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether MKS Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.