DUTCH ASSET Corp acquired a new position in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 2,530 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $672,000.
Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter worth about $231,673,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of MKS by 1,742.1% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 442,273 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $117,362,000 after buying an additional 418,264 shares during the period. Madison Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $140,866,000. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $128,303,000. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of MKS by 12.5% during the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 259,749 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $59,693,000 after buying an additional 28,850 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other MKS news, CEO John Tseng-Chung Lee sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.01, for a total value of $3,020,100.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 134,776 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,703,699.76. This trade represents a 6.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of MKS stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total value of $131,757.67. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 4,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,181,494.38. This trade represents a 10.03% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 10,757 shares of company stock worth $3,227,146. Insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.
MKS Stock Performance Shares of MKSI opened at $211.14 on Wednesday. MKS Inc. has a 1 year low of $130.72 and a 1 year high of $447.62. The company has a market cap of $14.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 2.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $262.23 and a 200-day moving average of $300.01. MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. MKS had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.77 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 28.3% on a year-over-year basis. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that MKS Inc. will post 13.13 earnings per share for the current year.
MKS Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 25th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. MKS’s dividend payout ratio is 15.95%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MKSI has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of MKS from $425.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $600.00 target price on shares of MKS in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. KeyCorp lifted their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on MKS from $439.00 to $345.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $375.93.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MKSI
MKS Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) develops technologies that enable precision control and measurement in manufacturing and research environments. The company provides instruments, components, systems and process-control solutions used to measure and control pressure, flow, vacuum, gas delivery, temperature and other critical production conditions.
Its product portfolio includes vacuum solutions, pressure and flow-control instruments, gas and vapor delivery systems, plasma and reactive-gas technologies, power delivery systems, process-monitoring equipment, analytical instruments and materials-characterization tools.
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ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Ophir® Optics business to TTM Technologies, Inc. (“TTM”) in an all-cash transaction for $650 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. The purchase price represents an estimated multiple of over 18x projected FY 2026 Adjusted EBITDA for the Ophir Optics business.
The Ophir Optics business provides high-precision infrared thermal imaging and laser optics solutions to customers in MKS’ Specialty Industrial market, serving defense, security and industrial applications.
TTM is a leading global manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency (“RF”) components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and technologically advanced interconnect products, including printed circuit boards and substrates.
“The Ophir Optics business highlights how we can apply our broad technology capabilities to serve attractive opportunities outside our core Semiconductor and Electronics & Packaging markets. This transaction represents an opportunity for MKS to capitalize on the value we’ve created with the Ophir Optics business and further strengthen our balance sheet,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, MKS Inc. “We believe TTM is well positioned to support this business in its next phase of growth.”
This transaction does not include the MKS Ophir Instruments laser characterization business, which operates separately from Ophir Optics, or the sale of the Ophir brand. Ophir Instruments provides laser power measurement and beam profiler solutions core to our photonics solutions portfolio, and there will be no impact on the products, services, and support MKS provides to its Ophir Instruments customers.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2027, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory approvals and certain governmental consents and permits.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Herzog Fox & Neeman is serving as lead legal advisor to MKS in connection with this transaction.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results
This press release references forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA of the Ophir Optics business, a financial measure that is not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (a “Non-GAAP financial measure”). This Non-GAAP financial measure should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, MKS’ reported results under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In addition, this Non-GAAP financial measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. MKS management believes the presentation of this Non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.
MKS is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income of the Ophir Optics business because we are unable to estimate with reasonable certainty the ultimate timing or amount of certain significant items without unreasonable efforts. These items include, but are not limited to, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring and other expense, goodwill and intangible asset impairments, excess and obsolescence inventory charges, and the income tax effect of these items. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the relevant period.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the future financial performance, business prospects and growth of MKS, and the expected time of closing of the transaction. These statements are only predictions based on current assumptions and expectations. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “will,” “projects,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “continues” and similar expressions) should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements that we make are the failure or inability of TTM or MKS to meet the closing conditions or to otherwise consummate the transaction, the ability to realize the expected benefits of the transaction, and the other important factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of MKS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, each as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if subsequent events cause our views to change, after the date of this press release.
Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) by 1,742.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 442,273 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 418,264 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.65% of MKS worth $117,362,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Loftus Peak Pty Ltd boosted its position in shares of MKS by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter. Loftus Peak Pty Ltd now owns 57,593 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $15,283,000 after purchasing an additional 10,157 shares in the last quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new stake in shares of MKS in the third quarter worth $575,000. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its holdings in shares of MKS by 19.5% during the third quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 1,262 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $329,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital increased its holdings in shares of MKS by 2.3% during the third quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 4,193 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,092,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of MKS by 13.5% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,667 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $973,000 after acquiring an additional 436 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on MKSI. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $360.00 price objective on shares of MKS in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Wall Street Zen raised shares of MKS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of MKS from $380.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on shares of MKS from $360.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of MKS from $425.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $375.93.
Get Our Latest Report on MKS MKS Trading Down 6.0% MKSI opened at $214.83 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. MKS Inc. has a 12 month low of $130.72 and a 12 month high of $447.62. The firm has a market cap of $14.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 2.03. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $265.44 and a 200 day moving average of $299.66.
MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.91 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.20 billion. MKS had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.15%. MKS’s revenue was up 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.77 EPS. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that MKS Inc. will post 13.13 EPS for the current year.
MKS Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 25th. MKS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.95%.
Insider Buying and Selling at MKS In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.96, for a total transaction of $75,288.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 18,845 shares in the company, valued at $4,729,341.20. The trade was a 1.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total value of $131,757.67. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,098 shares in the company, valued at $1,181,494.38. The trade was a 10.03% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,757 shares of company stock valued at $3,227,146. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
MKS Company Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc develops technologies used to measure, control and analyze the processes involved in manufacturing semiconductors, electronics, specialty materials and other industrial products. The company serves original equipment manufacturers and production facilities worldwide, with solutions spanning vacuum control, pressure measurement, gas and fluid delivery, process monitoring and control.
Its product portfolio includes vacuum gauges and valves, mass flow controllers, gas and vapor delivery systems, pressure controllers, plasma-generation and power-delivery systems, analytical instruments, lasers and photonics equipment.
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A downtrend has been apparent in MKS (MKSI - Free Report) lately. While the stock has lost 12.2% over the past week, it could witness a trend reversal as a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session. This could mean that the bulls have been able to counteract the bears to help the stock find support.
The formation of a hammer pattern is considered a technical indication of nearing a bottom with likely subsiding of selling pressure. But this is not the only factor that makes a bullish case for the stock. On the fundamental side, strong agreement among Wall Street analysts in raising earnings estimates for this maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies enhances its prospects of a trend reversal.
Understanding Hammer Chart and the Technique to Trade ItThis is one of the popular price patterns in candlestick charting. A minor difference between the opening and closing prices forms a small candle body, and a higher difference between the low of the day and the open or close forms a long lower wick (or vertical line). The length of the lower wick being at least twice the length of the real body, the candle resembles a 'hammer.'
In simple terms, during a downtrend, with bears having absolute control, a stock usually opens lower compared to the previous day's close, and again closes lower. On the day the hammer pattern is formed, maintaining the downtrend, the stock makes a new low. However, after eventually finding support at the low of the day, some amount of buying interest emerges, pushing the stock up to close the session near or slightly above its opening price.
When it occurs at the bottom of a downtrend, this pattern signals that the bears might have lost control over the price. And, the success of bulls in stopping the price from falling further indicates a potential trend reversal.
Hammer candles can occur on any timeframe -- such as one-minute, daily, weekly -- and are utilized by both short-term as well as long-term investors.
Like every technical indicator, the hammer chart pattern has its limitations. Particularly, as the strength of a hammer depends on its placement on the chart, it should always be used in conjunction with other bullish indicators.
Here's What Makes the Trend Reversal More Likely for MKSIAn upward trend in earnings estimate revisions that MKSI has been witnessing lately can certainly be considered a bullish indicator on the fundamental side. That's because empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.1%. What it means is that the sell-side analysts covering MKSI are majorly in agreement that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.
If this is not enough, you should note that MKSI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. And stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 usually outperform the market. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Moreover, a Zacks Rank of 2 for MKS is a more conclusive indication of a potential trend reversal, as the Zacks Rank has proven to be an excellent timing indicator that helps investors identify precisely when a company's prospects are beginning to improve.
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Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
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To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. MKSI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 66.6% for the current fiscal year.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.11 to $13.13 per share. MKSI also boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $247.56, gaining 6.9% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $396.79 indicates a 60.3% upside potential.
The average comprises 14 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $270.00 to a high of $600.00, with a standard deviation of $84.52. While the lowest estimate indicates an increase of 9.1% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 142.4% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in MKSI. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Why MKSI Could Witness a Solid UpsideAnalysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0.1%, as one estimate has moved higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, MKSI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much MKSI could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
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The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
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With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 19.03; value investors should take notice.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.11 to $13.13 per share. MKSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
Energous (NASDAQ:WATT – Get Free Report) and MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) are both technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends and valuation.
Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Energous and MKS, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Energous 1 1 0 0 1.50 MKS 1 2 12 1 2.81 MKS has a consensus target price of $375.93, indicating a potential upside of 42.13%. Given MKS’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe MKS is more favorable than Energous.
Volatility and Risk Energous has a beta of 1.51, suggesting that its share price is 51% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MKS has a beta of 2.03, suggesting that its share price is 103% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Energous and MKS’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Energous -76.37% -28.67% -24.91% MKS 10.15% 24.72% 7.80% Institutional and Insider Ownership 4.3% of Energous shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.8% of MKS shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Energous shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of MKS shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Valuation and Earnings This table compares Energous and MKS”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Energous $10.48 million 5.97 -$9.59 million ($2.21) -5.13 MKS $3.93 billion 4.55 $295.00 million $6.27 42.19 MKS has higher revenue and earnings than Energous. Energous is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MKS, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary MKS beats Energous on 14 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Energous (Get Free Report)
Energous Corporation provides wireless charging system solutions in the United States. The company develops WattUp wireless power networks technology that consists of semiconductor chipsets; software controls; hardware designs; and antennas that enables radio frequency-based charging for Internet of Things devices. Its products are used in asset trackers; sensors; retail displays; and security devices; smart home; medical; industrial; and other sensors; electronic shelf labeling; logistics and asset tracking tags and sensors; computer mice and keyboards; remote controls; gaming consoles and controllers; hearing aids; rechargeable batteries; automotive accessories; smart textiles; wearables; and medical devices. The company was formerly known as DvineWave Inc. and changed its name to Energous Corporation in January 2014. Energous Corporation was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in San Jose; California.
About MKS (Get Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc. provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division (VSD), Photonics Solutions Division (PSD), and Material Solutions Division (MSD) segments. The VSD segment provides foundational technology solutions, including pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, electronic control technology, reactive gas generation and delivery, power generation and delivery, and vacuum technology. The PSD segment offers range of solutions, which include lasers, beam measurement and profiling, precision motion control, vibration isolation systems, photonics instruments, temperature sensing, opto-mechanical components, optical elements, systems for flexible PCB laser processing, and laser-based systems, as well as high density interconnect PCB and package manufacturing. The MSD segment develops, process, and manufactures technologies comprising advanced surface modification, electroless and electrolytic plating, and surface finishing for chemistry, equipment, software, and services markets, as well as high-technology applications. In addition, the company sells its products and services through direct sales, network of independent distributors, and sales representatives, as well as websites, including product catalogs. The company was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts.
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Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc. lessened its holdings in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) by 41.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,545 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 1,815 shares during the period. Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.’s holdings in MKS were worth $675,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MKSI. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of MKS by 47.5% during the 2nd quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of MKS by 4.8% during the second quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 917 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $408,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of MKS by 1.1% in the first quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,274 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $982,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of MKS during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in MKS by 2.9% during the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,252 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,002,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other MKS news, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total transaction of $131,757.67. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,181,494.38. This represents a 10.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO John Tseng-Chung Lee sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.01, for a total value of $3,020,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 134,776 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $40,703,699.76. The trade was a 6.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders sold 10,757 shares of company stock worth $3,227,146. 0.57% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
MKS Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ MKSI traded up $2.09 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $281.24. 431,264 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,373,221. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 2.03. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $274.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $298.68. MKS Inc. has a 52 week low of $120.91 and a 52 week high of $447.62. MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. MKS had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.15%.The firm had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.77 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that MKS Inc. will post 13.13 EPS for the current year.
MKS Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 25th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 25th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. MKS’s payout ratio is presently 15.95%.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MKSI. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of MKS from $380.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of MKS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on MKS from $360.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Mizuho decreased their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $330.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 25th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $600.00 price objective on shares of MKS in a report on Monday, August 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MKS has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $375.93.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MKSI
MKS Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc develops technologies used to measure, control and analyze the processes involved in manufacturing semiconductors, electronics, specialty materials and other industrial products. The company serves original equipment manufacturers and production facilities worldwide, with solutions spanning vacuum control, pressure measurement, gas and fluid delivery, process monitoring and control.
Its product portfolio includes vacuum gauges and valves, mass flow controllers, gas and vapor delivery systems, pressure controllers, plasma-generation and power-delivery systems, analytical instruments, lasers and photonics equipment.
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It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. MKSI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 66.6% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.29 to $13.13 per share. MKSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Computer and Technology stock. MKSI has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 2% over the past four weeks.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.29 to $13.13 per share. MKSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $260.82, gaining 2% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $396.79 indicates a 52.1% upside potential.
The average comprises 14 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $270.00 to a high of $600.00, with a standard deviation of $84.52. While the lowest estimate indicates an increase of 3.5% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 130% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in MKSI. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Why MKSI Could Witness a Solid UpsideAnalysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0.1% over the past month, as one estimate has gone higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, MKSI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much MKSI could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR – Get Free Report) and MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) are both technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, valuation and dividends.
Valuation & Earnings This table compares Aehr Test Systems and MKS”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Aehr Test Systems $50.00 million 63.63 -$7.13 million ($0.24) -405.92 MKS $3.93 billion 4.44 $295.00 million $6.27 41.15 MKS has higher revenue and earnings than Aehr Test Systems. Aehr Test Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MKS, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Aehr Test Systems and MKS’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Aehr Test Systems -14.25% -3.83% -3.36% MKS 10.15% 24.72% 7.80% Volatility and Risk Aehr Test Systems has a beta of 3.06, suggesting that its share price is 206% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MKS has a beta of 1.98, suggesting that its share price is 98% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional and Insider Ownership 69.7% of Aehr Test Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.8% of MKS shares are held by institutional investors. 4.6% of Aehr Test Systems shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of MKS shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Aehr Test Systems and MKS, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Aehr Test Systems 1 1 5 1 2.75 MKS 1 1 13 1 2.88 Aehr Test Systems presently has a consensus target price of $132.50, suggesting a potential upside of 36.01%. MKS has a consensus target price of $375.93, suggesting a potential upside of 45.72%. Given MKS’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe MKS is more favorable than Aehr Test Systems.
Summary MKS beats Aehr Test Systems on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
(Get Free Report)
Aehr Test Systems provides test solutions for testing, burning-in, and semiconductor devices in wafer level, singulated die, and package part form, and installed systems worldwide. Its product portfolio includes FOX-XP and FOX-NP systems that are full wafer contact and singulated die/module test and burn-in systems that can test, burn-in, and stabilize range of devices, including silicon carbide-based and other power semiconductors, 2D and 3D sensors used in mobile phones, tablets and other computing devices, memory semiconductors, processors, microcontrollers, systems-on-a-chip, and photonics and integrated optical devices. The company also offers FOX-CP system, a low-cost single-wafer compact test solution for logic, memory, and photonic devices; FOX WaferPak Contactor, a full wafer contactor capable of testing wafers up to 300mm that enables integrated circuit manufacturers to perform test, burn-in, and stabilization of full wafers on the FOX-P systems. In addition, it provides FOX DiePak Carrier, a reusable temporary package that enables IC manufacturers to perform final test and burn-in of bare die and modules; and FOX DiePak Loader. The company was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.
About MKS (Get Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc. provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division (VSD), Photonics Solutions Division (PSD), and Material Solutions Division (MSD) segments. The VSD segment provides foundational technology solutions, including pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, electronic control technology, reactive gas generation and delivery, power generation and delivery, and vacuum technology. The PSD segment offers range of solutions, which include lasers, beam measurement and profiling, precision motion control, vibration isolation systems, photonics instruments, temperature sensing, opto-mechanical components, optical elements, systems for flexible PCB laser processing, and laser-based systems, as well as high density interconnect PCB and package manufacturing. The MSD segment develops, process, and manufactures technologies comprising advanced surface modification, electroless and electrolytic plating, and surface finishing for chemistry, equipment, software, and services markets, as well as high-technology applications. In addition, the company sells its products and services through direct sales, network of independent distributors, and sales representatives, as well as websites, including product catalogs. The company was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts.
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Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 520,847 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $231,673,000. Bank of America Corp DE owned approximately 0.77% of MKS at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in MKS by 47.5% in the second quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in MKS by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,274 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $982,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in MKS by 14.7% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 390 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in MKS during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in MKS by 14.9% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 541 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
MKS Stock Performance MKS stock opened at $235.28 on Thursday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $294.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $295.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The company has a market cap of $15.91 billion, a PE ratio of 37.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.98. MKS Inc. has a twelve month low of $115.74 and a twelve month high of $447.62.
MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.20 billion. MKS had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.77 earnings per share. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that MKS Inc. will post 13.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. MKS Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 25th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. MKS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.95%.
Insider Activity at MKS In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 300 shares of MKS stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.96, for a total value of $75,288.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 18,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,729,341.20. This trade represents a 1.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total transaction of $131,757.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,181,494.38. This represents a 10.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 10,757 shares of company stock valued at $3,227,146 over the last ninety days. 0.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MKSI shares. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of MKS from $360.00 to $330.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of MKS from $374.00 to $442.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of MKS in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $453.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of MKS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on MKS from $360.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MKS currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $382.86.
Read Our Latest Analysis on MKSI
MKS Company Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) provides instruments, systems and process-control solutions used by manufacturers and research organizations. Its technologies help measure and control pressure, flow, vacuum, gas composition, temperature and other conditions involved in advanced manufacturing and laboratory processes.
The company offers vacuum components and systems, gas and vapor delivery equipment, pressure and flow controllers, process-monitoring instruments, analytical solutions, RF and microwave power systems, plasma-generation technologies, and materials-processing equipment.
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ANDOVER, Mass., Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today released its 2026 Environmental, Social, Governance (“ESG”) Report, outlining how MKS continues to integrate sustainability into its strategy, operations, and decision-making to support long-term value creation.
“At MKS, operational excellence, risk management, and responsible growth, together with an unwavering commitment to innovation, integrity, and trust, are foundational to our sustainability efforts,” said John T.C. Lee, President and CEO. “This report details MKS’ continued progress in improving efficiency, reducing resource use, and supporting safer, more reliable operations, while making targeted investments that strengthen our global footprint and bring our expertise and resources closer to our customers.”
The 2026 ESG Report also highlights several of our key ESG achievements since the beginning of 2025, including:
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval of MKS’ near-term Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.Generation of approximately 1,500 MWh of electricity from a new rooftop solar installation at MKS’ Guangzhou, China equipment factory, avoiding nearly 900 tCO2e emissions annually.Achievement of a record 91% participation rate in MKS’ fifth annual Global Employee Engagement Survey.Continued external ESG recognition, including a low ESG risk rating from Sustainalytics and recognition as one of the Best Companies to Work For by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s Best Midsized Companies by Time and Statista, Inc. and one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek and Statista, Inc. The report is available to view here and includes relevant disclosures related to The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) standards.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding MKS’ environmental goals. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein as a result of various important factors, including the factors described in MKS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.
MKS Instruments remains a Buy as long-term WFE demand and capacity expansions outweigh near-term margin pressures. MKSI's Q2 delivered record $1.25B revenue, 28% YoY growth, and EPS beat, but margin headwinds from product mix and facility ramps persist. The Malaysian super-facility is reconfigured to support $200-250B WFE industry spending, signaling management's confidence in robust future demand.
Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its position in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) by 2,274.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 56,935 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 54,537 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned 0.08% of MKS worth $24,984,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MKSI. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in MKS in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Allied Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of MKS during the second quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in MKS by 47.5% in the second quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
MKS Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ MKSI opened at $265.50 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.95 billion, a PE ratio of 42.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.98. MKS Inc. has a 1-year low of $107.02 and a 1-year high of $447.62. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $308.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $295.81.
MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. MKS had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 28.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.77 earnings per share. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that MKS Inc. will post 13.07 EPS for the current year. MKS Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 25th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. MKS’s payout ratio is currently 15.95%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have commented on MKSI shares. KeyCorp increased their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, June 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on MKS from $374.00 to $442.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $600.00 target price on shares of MKS in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of MKS from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of MKS from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $382.86.
View Our Latest Analysis on MKS
Insider Buying and Selling at MKS In related news, CEO John Tseng-Chung Lee sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.01, for a total transaction of $3,020,100.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 134,776 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $40,703,699.76. The trade was a 6.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of MKS stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total value of $131,757.67. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,181,494.38. This trade represents a 10.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 10,757 shares of company stock valued at $3,227,146 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.
MKS Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) designs, manufactures and markets technology solutions that enable advanced processes in a variety of high‐technology and industrial markets. The company’s core offerings include vacuum and gas delivery systems, pressure and flow measurement instruments, optical metrology tools, photonics subsystems and critical components for manufacturing processes. These products support the precise control and monitoring needs of semiconductor, industrial manufacturing, life and health sciences, and research applications.
The company’s product portfolio features mass flow controllers, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, gas purity monitors, laser-based metrology systems and photonic devices such as lasers and detectors.
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Nykredit A S bought a new stake in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 2,289 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,018,000.
Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in MKS by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,254,049 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $200,438,000 after purchasing an additional 5,551 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in MKS by 44.2% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 982,643 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $97,635,000 after buying an additional 301,223 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of MKS in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $147,453,000. Rafferty Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MKS by 63.4% in the second quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 878,114 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $87,249,000 after buying an additional 340,645 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of MKS by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 870,654 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $139,131,000 after acquiring an additional 24,349 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at MKS In other MKS news, EVP John Williams sold 457 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total value of $131,757.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,098 shares in the company, valued at $1,181,494.38. This trade represents a 10.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.96, for a total value of $75,288.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 18,845 shares in the company, valued at $4,729,341.20. This trade represents a 1.57% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 10,757 shares of company stock worth $3,227,146 over the last ninety days. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on MKSI shares. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of MKS from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $360.00 target price on shares of MKS in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Needham & Company LLC increased their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Wall Street Zen raised MKS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on MKS from $374.00 to $442.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $382.86. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MKS
MKS Price Performance MKS stock opened at $260.31 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. MKS Inc. has a 1-year low of $102.14 and a 1-year high of $447.62. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $312.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $295.71. The company has a market cap of $17.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.98.
MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. The firm had revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.20 billion. MKS had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.77 EPS. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that MKS Inc. will post 13.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
MKS Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 25th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. MKS’s dividend payout ratio is 15.95%.
MKS Profile (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) designs, manufactures and markets technology solutions that enable advanced processes in a variety of high‐technology and industrial markets. The company’s core offerings include vacuum and gas delivery systems, pressure and flow measurement instruments, optical metrology tools, photonics subsystems and critical components for manufacturing processes. These products support the precise control and monitoring needs of semiconductor, industrial manufacturing, life and health sciences, and research applications.
The company’s product portfolio features mass flow controllers, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, gas purity monitors, laser-based metrology systems and photonic devices such as lasers and detectors.
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for MKS (MKSI - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 14.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is MKS due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
MKSI Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year Over YearMKS Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $3.30 per share, up 86.4% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.24%.
Revenues rose 28.3% year over year to $1.25 billion and surpassed the consensus mark by 3.06%. Growth was broad-based across all three end markets, led by Electronics & Packaging, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 28.6%.
MKSI's Q2 Revenue Mix StrengthensProduct revenues, which accounted for 88.5% of total revenues, increased 30.2% year over year to $1.10 billion. The performance reflected stronger demand across the company’s semiconductor, electronics and packaging and specialty industrial businesses.
Services revenues totaled $144 million, representing 11.5% of revenues. The figure increased 15.2% from the year-ago quarter, supporting the company’s overall double-digit top-line expansion.
MKS' End Markets Post Broad GrowthSemiconductor revenues increased 28.2% year over year to $554 million and represented 44.4% of total revenues. Management highlighted accelerating AI-driven investment across semiconductor and advanced packaging applications, along with rapidly growing order volumes.
Electronics & Packaging revenues increased 44% to $381 million, contributing 30.5% of revenues. Specialty Industrial revenues rose 13.8% to $313 million and accounted for 25.1% of the quarterly total. The gains across each end market underscored the breadth of demand in the quarter.
MKSI's Operating DetailsGross margin expanded 100 basis points year over year to 47.6%. Non-GAAP operating income totaled $320 million, while the non-GAAP operating margin improved 480 basis points to 25.6%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $275 million compared with $251 million a year earlier.
Adjusted EBITDA climbed 49.2% year over year to $358 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 390 basis points to 28.6%, reflecting stronger revenue and improved profitability.
GAAP income from operations increased to $251 million from $135 million in the prior-year quarter. The operating margin expanded 620 basis points to 20.1%, benefiting from the higher revenue base and improved gross margin.
MKSI's Cash Flow and Balance SheetAs of June 30, 2026, MKS had cash and cash equivalents of $611 million compared with $569 million as of March 31, 2026.
As of June 30, 2026, long-term debt totaled $2.54 billion.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $243 million in the second quarter, up 47.3% year over year. Capital expenditures totaled $55 million, resulting in free cash flow of $188 million compared with $136 million in the prior-year quarter.
MKS' Q3 Outlook Signals MomentumFor the third quarter of 2026, MKS expects revenues of $1.35 billion, plus or minus $40 million. Gross margin is projected to be 47%, plus or minus 1 percentage point, while non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be $280 million, plus or minus $5 million.
The company forecasts non-GAAP earnings of $3.58 per share, plus or minus 31 cents.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $395 million, plus or minus $28 million. Management noted that the outlook reflects the current business environment, including U.S. import tariffs and retaliatory actions by other countries.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates revision.
The consensus estimate has shifted 8.69% due to these changes.
VGM ScoresAt this time, MKS has a nice Growth Score of B, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with an A. However, the stock has a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise MKS has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
Investors with an interest in Electronics - Miscellaneous Products stocks have likely encountered both MKS (MKSI) and Hoya Corp. (HOCPY). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now?
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Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. MKSI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 65.9% for the current fiscal year.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.26 to $13.07 per share. MKSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
John Tseng-Chung Lee, President & CEO of MKS Inc. (MKSI -5.62%), sold 10,000 shares of common stock on Aug. 14, 2026, for a total transaction value of ~$3.0 million, according to a SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$3.0 millionShares sold10,000Post-transaction shares (directly held)134,776Post-transaction value$41.88 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($302.01); post-transaction value based on Aug. 14, 2026, market close ($310.73).
Key questionsWhat was the primary driver behind the timing of this transaction?
The sale was conducted through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on Feb. 20, 2026, which allows insiders to schedule trades in advance to avoid concerns regarding material non-public information.How has the stock performed leading up to this executive sale?
The transaction occurred following a period of appreciation, as the company delivered a 198% total return over the one-period ending Aug. 14, 2026.What is the scale of the company's current operations?
MKS Inc. operates as a global technology company, providing instruments and systems for process control, generating $4.3 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue and employing approximately 10,200 employees.Does the executive maintain significant alignment with shareholders?
Despite the sale, John Tseng-Chung Lee retains a direct equity stake valued at $41.88 million, while no indirect holdings or derivative securities were reported in this filing.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-14)$310.73Market Capitalization$21.0 billionRevenue (TTM)$4.3 billionNet Income (TTM)$441 millionCompany SnapshotMKS Inc. supplies sophisticated instruments, integrated systems, specialized components, and advanced process control solutions that enable manufacturers to measure, observe, deliver, evaluate, energize, and regulate critical operational parameters across diverse manufacturing environments globally.The company generates revenue through three primary business divisions: Vacuum & Analysis, which provides advanced measurement and analytical solutions; a second segment focused on specialized components and systems; and a third division delivering integrated process control solutions that optimize manufacturing efficiency and precision.MKS serves a broad customer base across semiconductor manufacturing, industrial processing, research institutions, and advanced manufacturing sectors, positioning itself as a critical supplier to industries requiring precision measurement and process control technologies.
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MKS Inc. operates as a global leader in precision instrumentation and process control solutions, with a diversified product portfolio serving capital-intensive manufacturing industries.
The company's $4.3 billion in TTM revenue and $441 million in net income reflect strong operational performance and market demand for its advanced technological solutions.
MKS maintains a competitive advantage through its specialized engineering capabilities, comprehensive product integration, and deep customer relationships across mission-critical manufacturing applications.
What this transaction means for investorsThis sale shouldn't concern investors. It represented a small portion of the executive's holdings in the company's stock. Moreover, it was executed under a pre-adopted trading plan that allows insiders to make transactions without appearing to act on material non-public information.
The company has been experiencing strong growth, with TTM revenue up 16% year-over-year through the second quarter. Profits are growing even faster due to higher margins.
Despite a recent pullback in the stock, analysts still forecast earnings growth at an annualized rate of close to 20% in the coming years. The stock now trades at a forward earnings multiple of about 17.7x.
John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $271.75, gaining 5.5% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $407.07 indicates a 49.8% upside potential.
The mean estimate comprises 14 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $80.15. While the lowest estimate of $270.00 indicates a 0.6% decline from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 120.8% to reach $600.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in MKSI. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You Should Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in MKSIThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 10.2% over the past month, as seven estimates have gone higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, MKSI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much MKSI could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
Investors might want to bet on MKS (MKSI - Free Report) , as earnings estimates for this company have been showing solid improvement lately. The stock has already gained solid short-term price momentum, and this trend might continue with its still improving earnings outlook.
The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- has this insight at its core.
The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.
For MKS, there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising earnings estimates, which has helped push consensus estimates considerably higher for the next quarter and full year.
The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsFor the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $3.53 per share, which is a change of +82.9% from the year-ago reported number.
Over the last 30 days, three estimates have moved higher for MKS compared to no negative revisions. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 9.49%.
Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the earnings estimate of $12.96 per share represents a change of +64.5% from the year-ago number.
There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, seven estimates have moved up for MKS versus no negative revisions. This has pushed the consensus estimate 10.15% higher.
Favorable Zacks RankOur research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.
Bottom LineMKS shares have added 5.5% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are betting on its impressive estimate revisions. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away to benefit from its earnings growth prospects.
Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 4,545 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,022,000.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,652,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in MKS during the second quarter worth about $1,275,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in MKS during the second quarter worth about $455,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in MKS during the second quarter valued at approximately $17,056,000. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in MKS during the second quarter worth approximately $279,000. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Key Stories Impacting MKS Here are the key news stories impacting MKS this week:
Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised multiple earnings estimates. Zacks increased its Q3 2026 EPS forecast to $3.60 from $3.22 and its FY2026 estimate to $12.76 from $11.86. Estimates were also raised for FY2027 to $16.52 from $15.00 and FY2028 to $20.10 from $18.24. Several quarterly forecasts through 2028 were increased as well, signaling stronger expected earnings momentum. Earnings Estimates Moving Higher for MKS Positive Sentiment: Wall Street price targets imply substantial potential upside. The average analyst target cited by Zacks indicates 49.8% potential appreciation, although the article cautions that price targets are not always reliable. The favorable earnings-revision trend could support the stock if it translates into stronger results. Wall Street Analysts Think MKS Could Surge Neutral Sentiment: Mizuho lowered its MKS price target to $330. The target reduction is a negative signal, but the revised target remains well above the level at which the stock recently traded. Mizuho Lowers MKS Price Target Negative Sentiment: The CEO sold company shares. CEO John Tseng-Chung Lee reportedly sold 10,000 shares for approximately $3 million. Insider selling can raise concerns about management’s view of near-term valuation or performance, even though it does not necessarily indicate a change in business fundamentals. MKS CEO Sells Shares MKS Stock Down 5.6% MKSI opened at $255.76 on Friday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $330.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $295.54. The stock has a market cap of $17.29 billion, a PE ratio of 40.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.98. MKS Inc. has a 52 week low of $97.50 and a 52 week high of $447.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.39. MKS had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The company had revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.77 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. MKS has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.270-3.890 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that MKS Inc. will post 13.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
MKS Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 25th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 25th. MKS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.95%.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other MKS news, CAO Michelle M. Mccarthy sold 2,434 shares of MKS stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.23, for a total value of $767,269.82. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 2 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $630.46. The trade was a 99.92% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP John Edward Williams sold 457 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.31, for a total value of $131,757.67. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 4,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,181,494.38. This trade represents a 10.03% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 12,891 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,127 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MKSI has been the topic of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on MKS from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of MKS in a report on Thursday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on MKS from $365.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. KeyCorp increased their target price on MKS from $360.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 29th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on MKS from $425.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $382.86.
Get Our Latest Research Report on MKS
About MKS (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) designs, manufactures and markets technology solutions that enable advanced processes in a variety of high‐technology and industrial markets. The company’s core offerings include vacuum and gas delivery systems, pressure and flow measurement instruments, optical metrology tools, photonics subsystems and critical components for manufacturing processes. These products support the precise control and monitoring needs of semiconductor, industrial manufacturing, life and health sciences, and research applications.
The company’s product portfolio features mass flow controllers, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, gas purity monitors, laser-based metrology systems and photonic devices such as lasers and detectors.
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ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (Nasdaq: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that transform our world, today announced it has received two distinguished contribution awards for 2026 from Zhen Ding Technology Group (“Zhen Ding”), a leading printed circuit board and package substrate manufacturer.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions and partnership in Service Excellence by MKS’ Photonics Solutions Division systems team and in Technology Innovation by MKS’ Materials Solutions Division team.
The awards were presented at an event in which Zhen Ding formally honored its highest-performing partners for exceptional collaboration grounded in complementary strengths, shared objectives, and joint benefits.
“We are honored to be recognized by Zhen Ding with these two awards,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer at MKS. “They reflect the strength of our partnership and the trust that comes from consistent execution, technical depth, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. I’m proud of our team for consistently providing the responsiveness and innovation our customers require in high-demand manufacturing environments. Against the backdrop of intensifying AI-driven investment across semiconductor and advanced packaging solutions, we are demonstrating the strength of our foundational position in these markets. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to support Zhen Ding’s success and deepen our mutually beneficial relationship.”
The awards underscore MKS’ continued focus on partnering closely with customers to solve increasingly complex challenges through responsive support and the engineering capabilities required to help advance next-generation electronics manufacturing.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
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Stock to Watch: MKS (MKSI - Free Report) MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes.
MKSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. MKSI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 64.5% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.15 to $12.96 per share. MKSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, MKSI should be on investors' short list.
Have you evaluated the performance of MKS' (MKSI - Free Report) international operations for the quarter ending June 2026? Given the extensive global presence of this maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies, analyzing the patterns in international revenues is crucial for understanding its financial strength and potential for growth.
In the current era of a tightly interconnected global economy, the proficiency of a company to penetrate international markets significantly influences its financial health and trajectory of growth. For investors, the key is to grasp how reliant a company is on overseas markets, as this provides insights into the durability of its earnings, its ability to exploit different economic cycles, and its overall growth capabilities.
Being present in foreign markets serves as protection against local economic declines and helps benefit from more rapidly expanding economies. Yet, such expansion also introduces challenges related to currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainties and varied market behaviors.
While delving into MKSI's performance for the past quarter, we observed some fascinating trends in the revenue from its foreign segments that are commonly modeled and observed by analysts on Wall Street.
For the quarter, the company's total revenue amounted to $1.25 billion, experiencing an increase of 28.3% year over year. Next, we'll explore the breakdown of MKSI's international revenue to understand the importance of its overseas business operations.
A Dive into MKSI's International Revenue TrendsSingapore accounted for 6.3% of the company's total revenue during the quarter, translating to $78 million. Revenues from this region represented a surprise of -3.74%, with Wall Street analysts collectively expecting $81.03 million. When compared to the preceding quarter and the same quarter in the previous year, Singapore contributed $73 million (6.8%) and $72 million (7.4%) to the total revenue, respectively.
Taiwan generated $87 million in revenues for the company in the last quarter, constituting 7% of the total. This represented a surprise of +12.06% compared to the $77.64 million projected by Wall Street analysts. Comparatively, in the previous quarter, Taiwan accounted for $62 million (5.8%), and in the year-ago quarter, it contributed $66 million (6.8%) to the total revenue.
Of the total revenue, $238 million came from Other International during the last fiscal quarter, accounting for 19.1%. This represented a surprise of -2.66% as analysts had expected the region to contribute $244.5 million to the total revenue. In comparison, the region contributed $230 million, or 21.3%, and $248 million, or 25.5%, to total revenue in the previous and year-ago quarters, respectively.
During the quarter, China contributed $292 million in revenue, making up 23.4% of the total revenue. When compared to the consensus estimate of $284.65 million, this meant a surprise of +2.58%. Looking back, China contributed $252 million, or 23.4%, in the previous quarter, and $219 million, or 22.5%, in the same quarter of the previous year.
Of the total revenue, $78 million came from Japan during the last fiscal quarter, accounting for 6.3%. This represented a surprise of +0.81% as analysts had expected the region to contribute $77.37 million to the total revenue. In comparison, the region contributed $67 million, or 6.2%, and $59 million, or 6.1%, to total revenue in the previous and year-ago quarters, respectively.
Anticipated Revenues in Overseas MarketsWall Street analysts expect MKS to report $1.36 billion in total revenue for the current fiscal quarter, indicating an increase of 37.3% from the year-ago quarter. Singapore, Taiwan, Other International, China and Japan are expected to contribute 6.2% (translating to $84.32 million), 5.7% ($77.82 million), 18% ($244.68 million), 21.6% ($292.54 million), and 6.1% ($82.22 million) to the total revenue, respectively.
For the full year, the company is expected to generate $4.98 billion in total revenue, up 26.6% from the previous year. Revenues from Singapore, Taiwan, Other International, China and Japan are expected to constitute 6.6% ($326.08 million), 5.9% ($293.85 million)19.3% ($958.02 million)22.6% ($1.12 billion) and 6.4% ($318.96 million) of the total, respectively.
Closing RemarksRelying on international markets for revenues, MKS faces both prospects and perils. Thus, tracking the company's international revenue trends is essential for accurately projecting its future trajectory.
In a world where international interdependencies and geopolitical conflicts are ever-increasing, Wall Street analysts closely monitor these trends for companies having international presence to adjust their earnings forecasts. Of course, there are several other factors, including a company's standing within its home borders, that influence analysts' earnings forecasts.
Emphasizing a company's shifting earnings prospects is a key aspect of our approach at Zacks, especially since research has proven its substantial influence on a stock's price in the short run. This correlation is positively aligned, meaning that improved earnings projections tend to boost the stock's price.
The Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating mechanism, demonstrates a notable performance history confirmed through external audits. It effectively utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions to act as a predictor of a stock's price performance in the near term.
MKS, bearing a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is expected to outperform the broader market's movements in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
MKS' Recent Stock Market PerformanceOver the past month, the stock has lost 17% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 2.5% increase. The Zacks Computer and Technology sector, of which MKS is a part, has risen 0.3% over the same period. The company's shares have declined 1.1% over the past three months compared to the S&P 500's 5.1% increase. Over the same period, the sector has risen 0.8%
On August 07, 2026, MKS Inc (MKSI) shares rose 4.7% to a current price of $304.99, showing notable volatility within the past year as the stock has fluctuated b
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) reported $1.25 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 28.3%. EPS of $3.30 for the same period compares to $1.77 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 billion, representing a surprise of +3.06%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +12.25%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.94.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how MKS performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net Revenues- Semiconductor: $554 million versus $554.22 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +28.2% change.Net Revenues- Specialty Industrial: $313 million compared to the $297.84 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +13.8% year over year.Net Revenues- Electronics and Packaging: $381 million versus $358.4 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +43.2% change.Net Revenues- Products: $1.1 billion compared to the $1.06 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +30.2% year over year.Net Revenues- MSD (Materials Solutions Division): $400 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $389.24 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +23.8%.Net Revenues- PSD (Photonics Solutions Division): $341 million compared to the $323.44 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +40.3% year over year.Net Revenues- Services: $144 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $154.29 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +15.2%.Net Revenues- VSD (Vacuum Solutions Division): $507 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $503.01 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +24.6%.View all Key Company Metrics for MKS here>>>
Shares of MKS have returned -21% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways MKS sees Q3 semiconductor revenues at $630 million, implying year-over-year growth of more than 50%.MKS has chemistry equipment visibility through 2027 and is doubling Guangzhou manufacturing capacity.MKS expects 47% Q3 gross margin as capacity investments weigh on profitability during the demand ramp. MKS Inc. (MKSI - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 call to frame AI-driven spending as the key force behind accelerating semiconductor and advanced-packaging demand. Management paired that view with plans to expand manufacturing capacity while preserving operating leverage.
Revenues of $1.25 billion exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 billion, while adjusted earnings of $3.3 per share topped the $2.94 consensus estimate. The larger message was that demand visibility now extends well beyond the current quarter.
MKSI Sees Semiconductor Growth AcceleratingPresident and chief executive officer John Lee said the third-quarter semiconductor outlook implies year-over-year growth of more than 50%, with strength across MKS' portfolio. He also cited a healthy backlog supporting second-half visibility.
Second-quarter semiconductor revenues reached $554 million, up 19% sequentially and 28% year over year. Growth spanned deposition and etch products, NAND-related RF power upgrades, vacuum, plasma, reactive gases, optics and photonics.
A KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst pressed management on NAND. Lee said upgrades should continue before greenfield fabs arrive toward late 2027 and early 2028, with new tools offering broader content opportunities beyond RF power.
MKS Packaging Demand Extends Into 2027Lee described chemistry equipment demand as the strongest MKS has seen, supported by AI server investment, including optical modules. Electronics and Packaging revenue rose 19% sequentially and 44% year over year to $381 million.
MKS now has chemistry equipment visibility through 2027 and is doubling Guangzhou capacity. Lee said the company has also reactivated its Germany factory to bridge demand until new Guangzhou capacity comes online in the third quarter of 2027.
A Cantor Fitzgerald analyst asked about chemistry. Lee said AI-related applications now account for roughly 15% to 20% of chemistry revenue, while volume chemistry can take 24 to 30 months to ramp after equipment installation.
MKSI Builds Capacity Ahead of DemandLee said MKS' new Malaysia center has begun shipping revenue, though management did not need that capacity to satisfy 2026 demand. The facility is being ramped for 2027 and beyond.
Responding to a BMO Capital Markets analyst, Lee said a fully built-out Penang site could support wafer fab equipment spending in the $200 billion to $250 billion range. That plan complements the Guangzhou expansion.
Executive vice president and chief financial officer Ram Mayampurath said factory ramp expenses are costing about 50 to 80 basis points of gross margin per quarter and should persist for at least the next couple of quarters.
MKS Guides to Another Sequential Step-UpMayampurath guided third-quarter revenues to $1.35 billion, plus or minus $40 million. Semiconductor revenues are expected at $630 million, Electronics and Packaging at $385 million, and Specialty Industrial at $335 million.
Third-quarter adjusted earnings are projected at $3.58 per share, plus or minus $0.31. Adjusted EBITDA is expected at $395 million, plus or minus $28 million.
Management expects a 47% gross margin, plus or minus 100 basis points, with mix and capacity investments weighing on profitability. Mayampurath said operating expenses should grow much slower than revenues.
MKSI Keeps Deleveraging Behind Growth InvestmentFree cash flow was $188 million in the second quarter, or about 15% of revenues. MKS ended the period with more than $1.6 billion of liquidity and leverage of 3 times trailing adjusted EBITDA.
Mayampurath said organic growth remains the first capital priority, with balance-sheet strengthening a close second. He expects capital expenditures and inventory to rise in the second half.
A Cantor Fitzgerald analyst asked about voluntary debt payments. Mayampurath said MKS continues $100 million quarterly term-loan prepayments and is evaluating additional payments in the third and fourth quarters.
MKS Focuses on Execution Through the RampLee emphasized that customers are sharing plans further out than normal, while MKS is adding labor, inventory and capacity to avoid becoming a constraint. He said lead times remain normal and the supply chain is keeping pace.
Management's posture centered on scaling for semiconductor and packaging growth without abandoning pricing discipline, customer relationships or deleveraging. MKS is accepting near-term margin pressure from capacity and equipment mix to support the ramp.
MKSI's Zacks Signals Stay MixedMKSI carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Its Momentum Score of B is the strongest Style Score, while the Value Score is D, the Growth Score is C and the VGM Score is C.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Style Score methodology favors stronger A or B readings alongside top Zacks Ranks, making MKSI's profile favorable on momentum but mixed across the other styles. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts revise estimates following the just-reported results.
3 High-Growth Unknowns in Photonics That Are Vital for AIMKS NASDAQ: MKSI reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.25 billion, up 16% sequentially and 28% from a year earlier, as demand increased across semiconductor, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. Management said revenue and key profitability measures reached the high end of, or exceeded, the company’s guidance ranges.
President and Chief Executive Officer John Lee said investment tied to artificial intelligence is supporting demand across the company’s semiconductor and advanced packaging offerings. “Momentum is continuing to build at MKS,” Lee said, citing broad demand for vacuum, plasma, power, optics, photonics, laser systems, chemistry products and equipment.
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The 3 Favored Machinery Stocks To Buy In AugustThe company expects third-quarter revenue of $1.35 billion, plus or minus $40 million. Its outlook includes semiconductor revenue of $630 million, electronics and packaging revenue of $385 million, and specialty industrial revenue of $335 million.
Semiconductor demand accelerates Second-quarter semiconductor revenue was $554 million, rising 19% sequentially and 28% year over year. The growth rate accelerated from 13% year-over-year growth in the first quarter, driven by demand in DRAM and logic as well as increased NAND upgrade activity.
Lee said demand was broad-based across deposition and etch applications, including RF power used in NAND upgrades, vacuum subsystems, plasma generators and reactive gases used in advanced logic and DRAM applications. The company also cited momentum in optics and photonics products for lithography, metrology and inspection markets.
MKS expects semiconductor revenue to grow more than 50% year over year in the third quarter. Lee said the company has healthy backlog visibility through the second half of the year and continues to secure design wins, including in advanced logic dissolved-gas applications and high-aspect-ratio dielectric etch RF power applications.
Regarding NAND, Lee said upgrades are expected to continue before planned greenfield fabs begin coming online toward the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028. He noted that new fabs would create broader opportunities for MKS’ semiconductor product portfolio than upgrades, although RF power represents a significant portion of the bill of materials in upgrade projects.
The company’s Malaysia Super Center began ramping during the quarter and has made its first revenue shipments, according to Lee. MKS said it did not require the Malaysia site to meet 2026 demand but is scaling it to support expected demand in 2027 and beyond. When the Penang facility is fully built out, management believes it can support a wafer-fab-equipment market in the range of $200 billion to $250 billion.
AI investment drives packaging equipment and chemistry demand Electronics and packaging revenue reached $381 million in the second quarter, up 19% from the prior quarter and 44% from a year earlier. The company said chemistry solutions, chemistry equipment and flexible printed-circuit-board drilling equipment all contributed to the improvement.
Chemistry sales rose 21% year over year excluding foreign-exchange effects and palladium pass-through, according to Chief Financial Officer Ram Mayampurath. Lee said AI-related applications now represent about 15% to 20% of MKS’ chemistry revenue, an increase from the company’s prior estimate of 15%.
Management described chemistry equipment demand as the strongest it has experienced, supported by AI server investment and optical-module applications. MKS said its visibility for chemistry equipment extends through 2027, supported in part by longer lead times and customer down payments.
To support that demand, the company is doubling the capacity of its Guangzhou chemistry-equipment factory. The expanded facility is expected to be online in the third quarter of 2027. MKS has also increased production at its Germany factory to bridge demand before the Guangzhou expansion opens, while continuing to find additional capacity at its existing Guangzhou operation.
Lee said chemistry equipment sales are increasingly weighted toward higher-end systems required for AI boards, resulting in higher equipment selling prices. While MKS has previously said chemistry revenue can equal 20% to 40% of equipment sales over time, Lee said the ratio is now expected to be toward the lower end of that range because of the higher equipment prices. He added that equipment installations can take 24 to 30 months before reaching chemistry volume production.
For the third quarter, MKS expects electronics and packaging revenue to increase more than 30% year over year. AI-related investment is expected to be partly offset by seasonal declines in flexible PCB equipment sales following a strong first half. Lee said flex drilling is primarily tied to smartphones, foldables and peripherals, while rigid PCB drilling is seeing increasing activity related to AI and low-Earth-orbit applications.
Profitability, cash flow and balance sheet Second-quarter gross margin was 47.6%. Mayampurath said the result included about 100 basis points of discrete benefits, primarily tariff and duty refunds. Excluding those items, he said gross margin remained healthy despite less favorable product mix and investments to prepare for higher demand.
Operating income was approximately $320 million, representing a 25.6% operating margin and an improvement of 480 basis points from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $358 million, or 28.6% of revenue. Net earnings were $232 million, or $3.30 per diluted share, up 86% year over year on a per-share basis.
The company generated $188 million in free cash flow, equal to about 15% of revenue, and ended the quarter with more than $1.6 billion in liquidity, including $611 million in cash and cash equivalents and a $1 billion undrawn revolving credit facility.
MKS made a $100 million voluntary prepayment on its term loan after quarter-end. Leverage stood at three times trailing-12-month adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion, down one full turn from the year-earlier period. Mayampurath said the company expects capital expenditures and working-capital investment to increase in the second half as it supports growth, while continuing to prioritize debt reduction.
For the third quarter, MKS forecast gross margin of 47%, plus or minus 100 basis points; operating income of $355 million; adjusted EBITDA of $395 million, plus or minus $28 million; and diluted earnings per share of $3.58, plus or minus $0.31.
About MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI)MKS Instruments, Inc NASDAQ: MKSI designs, manufactures and markets technology solutions that enable advanced processes in a variety of high‐technology and industrial markets. The company's core offerings include vacuum and gas delivery systems, pressure and flow measurement instruments, optical metrology tools, photonics subsystems and critical components for manufacturing processes. These products support the precise control and monitoring needs of semiconductor, industrial manufacturing, life and health sciences, and research applications.
The company's product portfolio features mass flow controllers, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, gas purity monitors, laser-based metrology systems and photonic devices such as lasers and detectors.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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Key Takeaways MKS' Q2 earnings rose 86.4%, and revenues climbed 28.3%, beating estimates on broad end-market growth. Electronics & Packaging led growth with a 43.2% revenue surge, while adjusted EBITDA margin hit 28.6%. MKS expects Q3 revenues of $1.35 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $3.58, signaling continued momentum. MKS Inc. (MKSI - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $3.30 per share, up 86.4% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.25%.
Revenues rose 28.3% year over year to $1.25 billion and surpassed the consensus mark by 3.06%. Growth was broad-based across all three end markets, led by Electronics & Packaging, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 28.6%.
MKSI's Q2 Revenue Mix StrengthensProduct revenues, which accounted for 88.5% of total revenues, increased 30.2% year over year to $1.10 billion. The performance reflected stronger demand across the company’s semiconductor, electronics and packaging and specialty industrial businesses.
Services revenues totaled $144 million, representing 11.5% of revenues. The figure increased 15.2% from the year-ago quarter, supporting the company’s overall double-digit top-line expansion.
MKS' End Markets Post Broad GrowthSemiconductor revenues increased 28.2% year over year to $554 million and represented 44.4% of total revenues. Management highlighted accelerating AI-driven investment across semiconductor and advanced packaging applications, along with rapidly growing order volumes.
Electronics & Packaging revenues increased 43.2% to $381 million, contributing 30.5% of revenues. Specialty Industrial revenues rose 13.8% to $313 million and accounted for 25.1% of the quarterly total. The gains across each end market underscored the breadth of demand in the quarter.
MKSI's Operating DetailsGross margin expanded 100 basis points year over year to 47.6%. Non-GAAP operating income totaled $320 million, while the non-GAAP operating margin improved 480 basis points to 25.6%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $275 million compared with $251 million a year earlier.
Adjusted EBITDA climbed 49.2% year over year to $358 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 390 basis points to 28.6%, reflecting stronger revenue and improved profitability.
GAAP income from operations increased to $251 million from $135 million in the prior-year quarter. The operating margin expanded 620 basis points to 20.1%, benefiting from the higher revenue base and improved gross margin.
MKSI's Cash Flow and Balance SheetAs of June 30, 2026, MKS had cash and cash equivalents of $611 million compared with $569 million as of March 31, 2026.
As of June 30, 2026, long-term debt totaled $2.54 billion.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $243 million in the second quarter, up 47.3% year over year. Capital expenditures totaled $55 million, resulting in free cash flow of $188 million compared with $136 million in the prior-year quarter.
MKS' Q3 Outlook Signals MomentumFor the third quarter of 2026, MKS expects revenues of $1.35 billion, plus or minus $40 million. Gross margin is projected to be 47%, plus or minus 1 percentage point, while non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be $280 million, plus or minus $5 million.
The company forecasts non-GAAP earnings of $3.58 per share, plus or minus 31 cents.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $395 million, plus or minus $28 million. Management noted that the outlook reflects the current business environment, including U.S. import tariffs and retaliatory actions by other countries.
MKSI’s Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to ConsiderMKSI currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector include Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) , Inuvo (INUV - Free Report) and Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) . Each stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Applied Materials shares have gained 107.9% in the year-to-date period. Applied Materials is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 13.
Shares of Inuvo have plunged 56% in the year-to-date period. Inuvo is set to report the second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 11.
Shares of Analog Devices have rallied 39.3% year to date. Analog Devices is slated to report fiscal third-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 19.
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.3 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.94 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.77 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +12.25%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies would post earnings of $2 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.3, delivering a surprise of +15%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
MKS, which belongs to the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, posted revenues of $1.25 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.06%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $973 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
MKS shares have added about 100.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%.
What's Next for MKS?While MKS has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for MKS was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $3.30 on $1.26 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.81 on $4.87 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Electronics - Miscellaneous Products is currently in the top 20% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Plug Power (PLUG - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 10.
This alternative energy company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +50%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 4.4% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Plug Power's revenues are expected to be $167.74 million, down 3.6% from the year-ago quarter.
ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2026.
ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on September 3, 2026, to shareholders of record as of August 25, 2026.
Future dividend declarations, as well as the record and payment dates for such dividends, are subject to the final determination of the Company's Board of Directors.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding MKS’ dividend program and any future dividend payment obligations. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are cash available for distribution, the then current and expected needs and availability of cash to pay MKS’ obligations, and the other factors described in MKS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.
Key Takeaways MKS Inc. expects Q2 revenues near $1.20B and non-GAAP earnings of $2.90 per share.AI investments are lifting semiconductor demand across DRAM, NAND, logic and advanced packaging. Tariffs may trim gross margin by 30-40 basis points, while industrial growth remains modest. MKS INC. (MKSI - Free Report) is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings results on Aug. 5.
MKSI expects second-quarter 2026 revenues of $1.20 billion (+/- $40 million). The consensus mark for second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.21 billion, indicating a 24.14% year-over-year increase.
On a non-GAAP basis, MKSI expects earnings of $2.90 (+/- 30 cents) per share. For the second quarter of 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $2.94 per share, having increased by a couple of pennies over the past 30 days, suggesting a year-over-year increase of 66.10%.
MKSI topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the trailing four quarters while missing once, with an average surprise of 7.64%.
Let us see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors Likely to Have Driven MKSI's Q2 PerformanceMKSI's second-quarter performance is expected to have benefited from strong momentum across its core end markets, particularly in semiconductors and electronics & packaging. For the second quarter of 2026, the company expects semiconductor revenues of approximately $550 million, electronics and packaging revenues of approximately $350 million and specialty industrial revenues of approximately $300 million.
The company is expected to have benefited from accelerating semiconductor demand, driven by artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments across DRAM, NAND and advanced logic/foundry markets. Semiconductor revenues are expected to increase in the high teens sequentially and more than 25% year over year. Strong demand for remote plasma and microwave products used in advanced DRAM, dissolved gas solutions for leading-edge logic nodes and lasers for back-end semiconductor applications is likely to have supported the to-be-reported quarter. Increasing NAND equipment upgrades, growing investments in advanced packaging and rising deposition and etch intensity are expected to have driven demand for the company's vacuum, power and plasma solutions.
In the Electronics and Packaging segment, MKSI is set to benefit from continued strength in chemistry and chemistry equipment, as well as laser drilling systems. AI is driving increased complexity and layer counts in advanced circuit board manufacturing, leading to higher demand for deposition, etch and chemistry equipment. Second quarter 2026 revenues in this segment are expected to grow in the high single digits sequentially and more than 30% year over year, with particular strength in flexible PCB drilling for high-end smartphones, wearables and rigid PCB applications related to the low earth orbit satellite market.
However, gross margin was 47% in the first quarter of 2026, but management noted a year-over-year decline tied to incremental tariff impacts. The company’s second-quarter 2026 outlook assumes the current tariff environment. In the first quarter of 2026, tariff costs were largely neutralized dollar for dollar, yet the company expects a 30 bps to 40 bps gross margin impact that is included in the second-quarter guide. For the second quarter of 2026, MKSI anticipates a gross margin of 47% (+/- 1%).
Specialty Industrial revenues were $291 million in the first quarter of 2026, down 2% sequentially due to Lunar New Year seasonality. While revenues grew 8% year over year, results remain exposed to end-market swings in areas such as automotive and industrial. Management’s second-quarter 2026 outlook of $300 million (+/- $10 million) implies only modest near-term growth.
What Our Model Says About MKSIAccording to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is the exact case here.
MKSI currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.59% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are some other companies worth considering, as our model shows that these, too, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their upcoming release.
NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.52% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
NVIDIA shares have gained 7.6% in the year-to-date period. NVDA is set to report second-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Aug. 26.
Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.73% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
Analog Devices shares have gained 35.5% in the year-to-date period. ADI is scheduled to report its third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 19.
Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.52% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Applied Materials shares have gained 97.5% in the year-to-date period. AMAT is set to report its third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 13.
MKS (MKSI) was a big mover last session on higher-than-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions might help the stock continue moving higher in the near term.
On July 29, 2026, MKS Inc (MKSI) shares experienced a significant drop of 9.7%, bringing the current price to $257.61. This decline is part of a broader trend,
MKS (MKSI - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 5. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.93 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +65.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.21 billion, up 24.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.54% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for MKS?For MKS, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.64%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that MKS will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that MKS would post earnings of $2 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.30, delivering a surprise of +15.00%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
MKS appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, Rockwell Automation (ROK - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $3.39 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +20.2%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $2.26 billion, up 5.2% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Rockwell Automation has been revised 1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.71%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Rockwell Automation will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Daventry Group LP purchased a new position in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI – Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 36,556 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,401,000. MKS makes up about 9.6% of Daventry Group LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Daventry Group LP owned 0.05% of MKS as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of MKS during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $147,453,000. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of MKS during the fourth quarter worth $95,880,000. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its stake in MKS by 159.7% during the fourth quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 839,773 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $134,196,000 after acquiring an additional 516,409 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in MKS by 9,165.9% during the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 446,248 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $55,232,000 after acquiring an additional 441,432 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rafferty Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in MKS by 63.4% in the 2nd quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 878,114 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $87,249,000 after acquiring an additional 340,645 shares during the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
MKS Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ:MKSI opened at $315.70 on Tuesday. MKS Inc. has a 52 week low of $88.49 and a 52 week high of $447.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.05, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.93. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $351.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $283.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94.
MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.00 by $0.30. MKS had a net margin of 8.06% and a return on equity of 21.49%. The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.05 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.71 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. MKS has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 2.600-3.200 EPS. On average, analysts expect that MKS Inc. will post 11.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
MKS Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 3rd were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 3rd. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. MKS’s dividend payout ratio is 20.92%.
Insider Buying and Selling at MKS In other news, Director Gerald G. Colella sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.40, for a total transaction of $6,668,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 20,017 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,673,667.80. The trade was a 49.98% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Michelle M. Mccarthy sold 2,434 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.23, for a total value of $767,269.82. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 2 shares in the company, valued at $630.46. The trade was a 99.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 53,949 shares of company stock valued at $17,446,108. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of MKS from $400.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, June 29th. Wall Street Zen cut MKS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $380.00 target price on shares of MKS in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on MKS from $255.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price target on MKS from $360.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, June 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $385.00.
Check Out Our Latest Report on MKSI
About MKS (Free Report)
MKS Instruments, Inc (NASDAQ: MKSI) designs, manufactures and markets technology solutions that enable advanced processes in a variety of high‐technology and industrial markets. The company’s core offerings include vacuum and gas delivery systems, pressure and flow measurement instruments, optical metrology tools, photonics subsystems and critical components for manufacturing processes. These products support the precise control and monitoring needs of semiconductor, industrial manufacturing, life and health sciences, and research applications.
The company’s product portfolio features mass flow controllers, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, gas purity monitors, laser-based metrology systems and photonic devices such as lasers and detectors.
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SummaryMKS, Inc. is initiated with a buy rating, citing strong semiconductor subsystem demand, a 25% valuation discount to peers, and resilient medium-term earnings growth.MKSI which has a history of facilitating an average topline beat of 3%, is due to release Q2 results on the 5th of August, followed by a call the following day.Revenue growth has been on an accelerating trend since Q2-24, and this is expected to persist in Q2 and Q3 of 2026.FCF generation could be better than Q1, given favorable timing related to bonus payments, but may not expand meaningfully given working capital buildup and a step-up in CAPEX.A Recent 25% pullback from peak price levels to the 20-week moving average and continued defense of the 200-DMA improve the risk-reward profile for long positions. imetlion/iStock via Getty Images
Introduction MKS, Inc (MKSI), a Massachusetts-based entity that was founded around 65 years ago and was previously known as MKS Instruments, Inc., is today seen as an upstream pick-and-shovel play in the manufacturing value chain of semiconductors, microelectronics, and specialty industrial products. MKSI’s foundational
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Shares of MKS (MKSI - Free Report) have been struggling lately and have lost 11.2% over the past four weeks. However, a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session, which could mean that the stock found support with bulls being able to counteract the bears. So, it could witness a trend reversal down the road.
While the formation of a hammer pattern is a technical indication of nearing a bottom with potential exhaustion of selling pressure, rising optimism among Wall Street analysts about the future earnings of this maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies is a solid fundamental factor that enhances the prospects of a trend reversal for the stock.
Understanding Hammer Chart and the Technique to Trade ItThis is one of the popular price patterns in candlestick charting. A minor difference between the opening and closing prices forms a small candle body, and a higher difference between the low of the day and the open or close forms a long lower wick (or vertical line). The length of the lower wick being at least twice the length of the real body, the candle resembles a 'hammer.'
In simple terms, during a downtrend, with bears having absolute control, a stock usually opens lower compared to the previous day's close, and again closes lower. On the day the hammer pattern is formed, maintaining the downtrend, the stock makes a new low. However, after eventually finding support at the low of the day, some amount of buying interest emerges, pushing the stock up to close the session near or slightly above its opening price.
When it occurs at the bottom of a downtrend, this pattern signals that the bears might have lost control over the price. And, the success of bulls in stopping the price from falling further indicates a potential trend reversal.
Hammer candles can occur on any timeframe -- such as one-minute, daily, weekly -- and are utilized by both short-term as well as long-term investors.
Like every technical indicator, the hammer chart pattern has its limitations. Particularly, as the strength of a hammer depends on its placement on the chart, it should always be used in conjunction with other bullish indicators.
Here's What Increases the Odds of a Turnaround for MKSIThere has been an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions for MKSI lately, which can certainly be considered a bullish indicator on the fundamental side. That's because a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.3%. What it means is that the sell-side analysts covering MKSI are majorly in agreement that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.
If this is not enough, you should note that MKSI currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. And stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 usually outperform the market. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Moreover, a Zacks Rank of 1 for MKS is a more conclusive indication of a potential trend reversal, as the Zacks Rank has proven to be an excellent timing indicator that helps investors identify precisely when a company's prospects are beginning to improve.
ANDOVER, Mass., July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today announced that the Company will release second quarter 2026 financial results after market close on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
A conference call with management will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). A live and archived webcast of the call can be accessed on the company’s website at https://investor.mks.com/, or by registering as a Participant by clicking here. We encourage participants to register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
ANDOVER, Mass., July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, was recognized today as one of America’s Best Companies for 2026 by Time and Statista, Inc.
“MKS is proud to receive this recognition as one of America’s best companies,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of MKS. “This is the second year in a row MKS has been recognized by Time, and it is especially meaningful to us that employee satisfaction was a key factor in this ranking. It reflects our commitment to creating a culture in which our dedicated colleagues can do their best work, driving high customer satisfaction and strong financial performance. That formula continues to attract the best talent to MKS. Congratulations to our entire team for earning this honor.”
The list of Best Companies was determined based on three categories: employee satisfaction, financial performance, and sustainability.
America’s Best Companies 2026
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
Pre-Market Stock Futures: Futures are trading lower after a big start to the holiday-shortened trading week, which saw every index trade higher, after the small-cap Russell 2000 eked out a tiny gain on the close, finishing up 0.01% at $3010, and still leads all the major indices in 2026, up over 20%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq exploded higher, closing up 2.07% at 25,820, while the S&P 500 also saw strength, closing the session at 7,440, higher by 1.18%. The venerable Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high of 52,182, up 059% on the day, with a nice move higher from new member Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL | GOOGL Price Prediction). Positive news on the Iran war, with negotiators meeting today in Qatar, and an announced end to hostilities between the two nations, was the backdrop for a very solid day for stocks. We could see more fireworks before the weekend 4th of July fireworks, as end-of-quarter reallocations and window dressing could skew volatility and trading volume higher.
Treasury Bonds: Yields were mixed across the Treasury curve on Monday, as some light buying came in on the long end, while there was selling across the belly and shorter maturities. Traders will continue to watch the situation in Iran. They will also be waiting for the May employment numbers scheduled for Thursday, as the markets are closed for the Federal 4th of July holiday on Friday. The 30-year-long bond finished the day at 4.86%, while the 10-year note was last seen at 4.37%.
Oil and Gas: After last week’s sizable sell-off, the energy complex attracted some buyers on Monday, as lower prices enticed accumulation at current levels. Brent Crude closed the day at $72.89, up 1.2%, while West Texas Intermediate finished the day at $70.39, up 1.82%. Natural gas, which has been strong recently, closed lower for the second straight session, down 3.26% at $3.17. The lower close was likely profit-taking, as the outlook for the commodity remains bullish.
Gold: After a nice move higher last week, Gold stumbled on Monday, closing down by 1.8% at $4,014, while Silver also closed lower, finishing the day at $58.13, down 1.56%. This comes as TD Securities’ head of commodity research, Bart Melek, predicted that gold will fall to $3,900 before rising to $5,300 by the end of 2026. He cited continued inflationary pressure as the main reason for the positive outlook.
Crypto: Bitcoin continued to consolidate in the $59,000–$60,500 zone yesterday, and pushed toward $60,158 intraday before trading in the $60,150–$60,370 range late Monday afternoon. The modest gains of roughly +1% over the past 24 hours came amid low volatility and sideways trading. Ethereum hovered near $1,590–$1,620 during the day, with a slight recovery from earlier in the session. Sentiment remains neutral-to-cautious on the crypto sector, and on Monday, many altcoins saw more decliners than gainers, with broader crypto markets reflecting risk-off flows tied to macro factors, such as the stronger U.S. dollar and interest rate expectations. At 8 AM EDT, Bitcoin was trading at $59,210. At the same time, Ethereum was quoted at $1,582.
24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports every day to identify fresh investment ideas for investors and traders alike. These daily analyst notes include recommendations on stocks to buy, sell, or avoid, as well as new coverage initiations. Important reminder: No single analyst report should ever be the sole basis for buying or selling a stock.
Here are some of the best Wall Street analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Upgrades: Block (NYSE: XYZ) caught a double upgrade from Piper Sandler, which lifted the shares to Overweight from Underweight, and boosted the target price to $100 from $58. Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) was raised to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank, which trimmed the target price for the shares to $32 from $34. Fortune Brands Innovations (NYSE: FBIN) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Truist, which lifted the target price for the shares to $70 from $45. Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Daiwa, which moved the target price for the shares to $255 from $240. Tradeweb Markets (NASDAQ: TW) Goldman Sachs upgraded the shares to Buy from Neutral, with a $146 target price. Downgrades: Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) was downgraded to Reduce from Hold at HSBC, with a $102 target price. Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) was downgraded to Underperform from Perform at Oppenherim, without a target price. Logitech International (NASDAQ: LOGI) was cut to Underperform from Neutral at Bank of America, which dropped the price target for the shares to $86 from $108. Scorpio Tankers (NYSE: STNG) was downgraded to Underperform from Buy at Bank of America, which cut the target price to $78 from $100. Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) was downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Arete, with an $11.60 target price. Initiations: Cerebras Systems (NASDAQ: CBRS) was started with a Hold rating at Freedom Capital, with a $209 target price. Klarna Group (NYSE: KLAR) was started with a Market Perform rating at Citizens, without a target price. MKS (NASDAQ: MKSI) was initiated with an Outperform rating at BMO Capital, with a $453 target price. Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) was initiated with a Buy rating at Benchmark, with a $21 target price.
Visa (NYSE: V) was initiated with an Overweight rating at Piper Sandler, with a $394 target price objective for the credit card giant. Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Google didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
On June 26, 2026, MKS Inc (MKSI) shares fell 5.3% to a current price of $388.61. The stock has experienced a range of price movements in the past 52 weeks, with
MKS (MKSI) was a big mover last session on higher-than-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions might help the stock continue moving higher in the near term.
ANDOVER, Mass., June 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today announced the expansion of its Atotech equipment manufacturing site in Guangzhou, China.
With an investment of USD 25 million, the expansion will add approximately 323,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space and is expected to double the site’s production capacity upon completion, which is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.
This investment reinforces MKS’ ongoing commitment to customers across Asia, where localized manufacturing, speed, and responsiveness are increasingly critical. The expansion is driven by sustained growth in AI-related markets — particularly in semiconductor, advanced packaging, and advanced PCB applications — where customers demand greater scale, faster turnaround, and closer technical collaboration.
The new facility expansion is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing operations, enhancing capabilities across production, final assembly, logistics, and testing and validation. Beyond increased manufacturing capacity, the site will continue to support R&D activities, while strengthening global technology collaboration with customers and original equipment manufacturers.
To support more sustainable operations, the facility will incorporate a photovoltaic power system designed to supply a significant portion of its daytime electricity demand, contributing to improved energy efficiency and long-term sustainable growth.
“Expanding our operations in Asia strengthens our ability to support customers in one of the world’s most dynamic electronics manufacturing hubs,” said Dave Henry, Executive Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing and General Manager, Materials Solutions Division. “By increasing capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing innovation, we are improving responsiveness to customer demand while building a strong foundation to support the next wave of AI-driven growth globally.”
“This expansion reinforces Guangzhou’s strategic role within our global manufacturing network,” said Tassilo Thuene, Vice President and General Manager, Equipment Business, Materials Solutions Division. “With added capacity, enhanced testing and validation capabilities, and greater operational flexibility, we are well positioned to meet evolving customer requirements and enable the next wave of innovation in advanced electronics and AI-related applications.”
The expanded facility is designed to streamline production flows, reduce complexity, shorten lead times, and improve delivery reliability. Once fully ramped, the site is expected to generate significant additional annual output, further strengthening MKS’ position in high-growth electronics markets.
About MKS Inc.
MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.
About the Atotech Brand
Atotech, a brand within the Materials Solutions Division of MKS, develops leading process and manufacturing technologies for advanced surface modification, electroless and electrolytic plating, and surface finishing. Applying a comprehensive systems-and-solutions approach, the Atotech portfolio includes chemistry, equipment, software, and services for innovative and high-technology applications. These solutions are used in a wide variety of end-markets, including datacenter, consumer electronics and communications infrastructure, as well as in numerous industrial and consumer applications such as automotive, heavy machinery, and household appliances.
With its well-established innovative strength and industry-leading global TechCenter network, MKS delivers pioneering solutions through its Atotech brand – combined with unparalleled on-site support for customers worldwide. For more information, please visit us at atotech.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding MKS’ manufacturing and operations expansion plans, expected production capacity and output, ability to support customer needs, and anticipated demand and growth opportunities in high-growth electronics markets. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein, including as a result of the factors described in MKS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.