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

TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary

Based on 20 vital metrics comparison: Cognex wins in 8 metrics, MKS Instruments wins in 12 metrics, with 0 ties. MKS Instruments appears stronger overall.

View Metrics Details

Vital Metrics Comparison

MetricCognexMKS InstrumentsBetter
P/E Ratio (TTM)57.0127.98MKS Instruments
Price-to-Book Ratio4.582.67MKS Instruments
Debt-to-Equity Ratio5.52199.70Cognex
PEG Ratio42.7611.97MKS Instruments
EV/EBITDA40.8411.78MKS Instruments
Profit Margin (TTM)13.13%6.21%Cognex
Operating Margin (TTM)17.44%13.78%Cognex
EBITDA Margin (TTM)17.44%13.78%Cognex
Return on Equity8.10%9.50%MKS Instruments
Return on Assets (TTM)4.11%3.82%Cognex
Free Cash Flow (TTM)$134.04M$410.00MMKS Instruments
Dividend Yield0.96%1.23%MKS Instruments
1-Year Return6.76%-17.12%Cognex
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)7.411.73MKS Instruments
Enterprise Value$6.72B$10.35BMKS Instruments
EV/Revenue Ratio7.232.83MKS Instruments
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)67.39%47.44%Cognex
Revenue per Share (TTM)$5$54MKS Instruments
Earnings per Share (Diluted)$0.72$3.36MKS Instruments
Beta (Stock Volatility)1.471.85Cognex
Performance
Key Stats
Valuation
Financials
Short Interest
Dividends

Cognex vs MKS Instruments Stock Performance Analysis

Loading Price Chart...

Performance Comparison

Short-term Returns

Stock1D1W1M3M6MYTD
Cognex-1.09%1.45%29.86%45.58%8.24%15.85%
MKS Instruments0.60%3.77%-3.34%32.93%-9.70%-6.84%

Long-term Returns

Stock1Y3Y5Y10Y15Y20Y
Cognex6.76%-14.23%-38.72%123.57%732.19%435.75%
MKS Instruments-17.12%-25.82%-27.96%152.88%378.74%402.64%

Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

MetricCGNXMKSI
Market Information
Market Cap i$6.89B$6.30B
Market Cap CategoryMid capMid cap
10 Day Avg. Volume i2,607,2091,069,570
90 Day Avg. Volume i2,043,183980,340
Last Close$40.91$99.36
52 Week Range$22.67 - $44.17$54.84 - $125.33
% from 52W High-7.38%-20.72%
All-Time High$101.82 (Feb 08, 2021)$199.44 (Apr 05, 2021)
% from All-Time High-59.82%-50.18%
Growth Metrics
Quarterly Revenue Growth0.04%0.08%
Quarterly Earnings Growth0.12%2.47%
Financial Health
Profit Margin (TTM) i0.13%0.06%
Operating Margin (TTM) i0.17%0.14%
Return on Equity (TTM) i0.08%0.10%
Debt to Equity (MRQ) i5.52199.70
Cash & Liquidity
Book Value per Share (MRQ)$8.97$35.19
Cash per Share (MRQ)$1.36$9.77
Operating Cash Flow (TTM) i$190.80M$602.00M
Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) i$166.53M$589.50M
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) i57.0127.98
Forward P/E i42.7611.97
PEG Ratio i42.7611.97
Price to Sales (TTM) i7.411.73
Price to Book (MRQ) i4.582.67
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization i$6.89B$6.30B
Enterprise Value i$6.72B$10.35B
Enterprise Value Metrics
Enterprise to Revenue i7.232.83
Enterprise to EBITDA i40.8411.78
Risk & Other Metrics
Beta i1.471.85
Book Value per Share (MRQ) i$8.97$35.19

Financial Statements Comparison: Cognex vs MKS Instruments

Financial Metrics

Loading Financial Charts...

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 i5.74M3.84M
Short Ratio i3.354.13
Short % of Float i0.04%0.07%
Average Daily Volume (10 Day) i2,607,2091,069,570
Average Daily Volume (90 Day) i2,043,183980,340
Shares Outstanding i170.43M67.40M
Float Shares i160.31M66.60M
% Held by Insiders i0.00%0.01%
% Held by Institutions i0.99%1.09%

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