Cognex [CGNX] vs MKS Instruments [MKSI] Detailed Stock Comparison

TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary

Based on 20 vital metrics comparison: Cognex wins in 7 metrics, MKS Instruments wins in 13 metrics, with 0 ties. MKS Instruments appears stronger overall.

View Metrics Details

Vital Metrics Comparison

MetricCognexMKS InstrumentsBetter
P/E Ratio (TTM)64.3134.90MKS Instruments
Price-to-Book Ratio5.163.63MKS Instruments
Debt-to-Equity Ratio5.52183.98Cognex
PEG Ratio4.500.20MKS Instruments
EV/EBITDA46.3614.96MKS Instruments
Profit Margin (TTM)13.13%7.14%Cognex
Operating Margin (TTM)17.44%14.39%Cognex
EBITDA Margin (TTM)17.44%14.39%Cognex
Return on Equity8.10%11.16%MKS Instruments
Return on Assets (TTM)4.11%3.84%Cognex
Free Cash Flow (TTM)$134.04M$410.00MMKS Instruments
Dividend Yield0.96%1.23%MKS Instruments
1-Year Return18.57%27.49%MKS Instruments
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)8.362.47MKS Instruments
Enterprise Value$7.63B$13.28BMKS Instruments
EV/Revenue Ratio8.213.55MKS Instruments
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)67.39%46.56%Cognex
Revenue per Share (TTM)$5$56MKS Instruments
Earnings per Share (Diluted)$0.72$3.95MKS Instruments
Beta (Stock Volatility)1.501.97Cognex
Performance
News Sentiment
Key Stats
Valuation
Financials
Short Interest
Dividends

Cognex vs MKS Instruments Stock Performance Analysis

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Performance Comparison

Short-term Returns

Stock1D1W1M3M6MYTD
Cognex1.23%2.90%5.07%47.16%91.23%31.29%
MKS Instruments1.17%14.19%27.93%36.49%121.42%31.55%

Long-term Returns

Stock1Y3Y5Y10Y15Y20Y
Cognex18.57%14.65%-31.95%166.61%591.30%536.82%
MKS Instruments27.49%86.83%22.07%298.49%606.89%692.89%

News Based Sentiment: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

Cognex

News based Sentiment: POSITIVE

Cognex experienced a positive month with an analyst upgrade, increased earnings estimates, and strong insider buying activity. While a security vulnerability was reported, the overall sentiment is positive, suggesting potential for near-term gains and improved stock performance. The month's events indicate a generally favorable outlook for the company.

View Cognex News Sentiment Analysis

MKS Instruments

News based Sentiment: MIXED

October was a month of contrasts for MKS Instruments, with a new 52-week high offset by concerns about future revenue growth and mixed institutional activity. While the stock's performance is positive, the underlying fundamentals suggest a more cautious outlook, making it a significant but not overwhelmingly positive month for investors.

View MKS Instruments News Sentiment Analysis

Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

MetricCGNXMKSI
Market Information
Market Cap i$7.86B$9.26B
Market Cap CategoryMid capMid cap
10 Day Avg. Volume i1,590,9601,205,912
90 Day Avg. Volume i1,916,4501,309,931
Last Close$46.87$139.47
52 Week Range$22.67 - $47.52$54.84 - $142.20
% from 52W High-1.37%-1.92%
All-Time High$101.82 (Feb 08, 2021)$199.44 (Apr 05, 2021)
% from All-Time High-53.97%-30.07%
Growth Metrics
Quarterly Revenue Growth0.04%0.10%
Quarterly Earnings Growth0.12%1.70%
Financial Health
Profit Margin (TTM) i0.13%0.07%
Operating Margin (TTM) i0.17%0.14%
Return on Equity (TTM) i0.08%0.11%
Debt to Equity (MRQ) i5.52183.98
Cash & Liquidity
Book Value per Share (MRQ)$8.97$37.99
Cash per Share (MRQ)$1.36$10.04
Operating Cash Flow (TTM) i$190.80M$645.00M
Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) i$166.53M$590.75M
Dividends
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i0.96%1.23%
Last 12-Month Dividend i$0.39$1.10

Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

MetricCGNXMKSI
Price Ratios
P/E Ratio (TTM) i64.3134.90
Forward P/E i48.2317.56
PEG Ratio i4.500.20
Price to Sales (TTM) i8.362.47
Price to Book (MRQ) i5.163.63
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization i$7.86B$9.26B
Enterprise Value i$7.63B$13.28B
Enterprise Value Metrics
Enterprise to Revenue i8.213.55
Enterprise to EBITDA i46.3614.96
Risk & Other Metrics
Beta i1.501.97
Book Value per Share (MRQ) i$8.97$37.99

Financial Statements Comparison: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

Financial Metrics

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Revenue

EBITDA

Shareholders Equity

Operating Margin

Free Cash Flow

Long Term Debt

Profit Margin

Current Ratio

Operating Cash Flow

Income Statement (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CGNXMKSI
Revenue/Sales i$216.04M$936.00M
Cost of Goods Sold i$71.71M$492.00M
Gross Profit i$144.32M$444.00M
Research & Development i$34.73M$70.00M
Operating Income (EBIT) i$26.09M$129.00M
EBITDA i$32.49M$224.00M
Pre-Tax Income i$27.80M$59.00M
Income Tax i$4.20M$7.00M
Net Income (Profit) i$23.60M$52.00M

Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CGNXMKSI
Cash & Equivalents i$143.74M$655.00M
Total Current Assets i$577.68M$2.43B
Total Current Liabilities i$183.96M$781.00M
Long-Term Debt i$63.43M$4.62B
Total Shareholders Equity i$1.45B$2.35B
Retained Earnings i$405.95M$512.00M
Property, Plant & Equipment i$166.19M$1.01B

Cash Flow Statement Comparison (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CGNXMKSI
Operating Cash Flow i$47.37M$90.00M
Capital Expenditures i$-2.50M$-18.00M
Free Cash Flow i$38.00M$123.00M
Debt Repayment iN/A$-113.00M
Common Stock Repurchase i$-102.23M$-45.00M

Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis

MetricCGNXMKSI
Shares Short i5.56M4.71M
Short Ratio i2.964.78
Short % of Float i0.04%0.09%
Average Daily Volume (10 Day) i1,590,9601,205,912
Average Daily Volume (90 Day) i1,916,4501,309,931
Shares Outstanding i170.43M67.40M
Float Shares i160.35M66.69M
% Held by Insiders i0.00%0.01%
% Held by Institutions i1.02%1.13%

Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

MetricCGNXMKSI
Last 12-Month Dividend i$0.39$1.10
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i0.96%1.23%
3-Year Avg Annual Dividend i$0.32$0.88
3-Year Avg Dividend Yield i0.18%0.22%
3-Year Total Dividends i$0.95$2.64
Ex-Dividend DateAug 14, 2025Aug 25, 2025