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KEYS vs MKSI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Keysight Technologies (KEYS) vs. MKS Instruments (MKSI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both KEYS and MKSI operate in the electronic measurement and semiconductor-related equipment space, with exposure to growth in artificial intelligence testing and advanced manufacturing.
- Year-to-date through mid-May 2026, MKSI has outperformed KEYS with an 85% return compared to 68%, driven by stronger recent earnings momentum.
- KEYS is positioned ahead of its fiscal second-quarter earnings release scheduled for May 19, 2026, following solid first-quarter results and analyst target increases.
- MKSI reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.078 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $2.30, both exceeding expectations, with particular strength in its semiconductor solutions segment.
- Market sentiment remains constructive for both companies amid broader technology sector tailwinds, though MKSI has shown more immediate post-earnings price appreciation in recent weeks.
- Risk factors include cyclical exposure to semiconductor capital spending and potential volatility around upcoming earnings or macroeconomic shifts affecting technology investment.
Introduction
Keysight Technologies and MKS Instruments represent two specialized players within the broader technology hardware and instrumentation sector. This comparison examines their recent market positioning, performance trends, and operational drivers to assist investors and traders evaluating relative opportunities in electronic test and measurement solutions. The analysis focuses on observable metrics and developments from the past several weeks while incorporating longer-term context to maintain relevance for portfolio decision-making.
KEYS Overview and Recent Performance
Keysight Technologies designs and manufactures electronic test and measurement solutions used across communications, aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor industries. In recent market activity, the stock has traded in a range following a period of strong gains, with the price closing near $340 on May 18, 2026, after reaching a 52-week high above $370 earlier in the month. Year-to-date returns stand at approximately 68%, outpacing the broader market. Sentiment has been supported by continued demand for testing infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence and 5G/6G development, as reflected in first-quarter results and subsequent analyst commentary. The company is scheduled to report fiscal second-quarter results on May 19, 2026, which may influence near-term price behavior.
MKSI Overview and Recent Performance
MKS Instruments supplies instruments, subsystems, and process control solutions primarily for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial applications, and research. Recent performance shows robust momentum, with the stock closing near $296 on May 18, 2026, following its first-quarter earnings release on May 6. Year-to-date returns have reached approximately 85%, significantly ahead of the S&P 500. The company delivered revenue of $1.078 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.30, both surpassing consensus estimates, with notable contribution from its semiconductor segment. Market reaction included post-earnings gains, reflecting investor focus on operational leverage and end-market recovery in advanced manufacturing.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Keysight Technologies emphasizes design validation and testing platforms, creating exposure to upstream research and development cycles in electronics and communications. MKS Instruments focuses on production-oriented process control and vacuum technology, aligning more directly with semiconductor fabrication volumes. Recent momentum favors MKSI following its earnings beat, while KEYS maintains a steadier profile ahead of its own reporting date. Both companies benefit from semiconductor and technology capital expenditure trends, yet MKSI carries higher sensitivity to manufacturing utilization rates. Risk considerations include comparable exposure to cyclical industry spending, with KEYS showing slightly lower price volatility in recent weeks. Overall market sentiment reflects optimism for both, tempered by broader macroeconomic influences on technology investment.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including earnings consistency, recent price stability, and sector positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modest probabilistic edge to MKSI due to its stronger post-earnings momentum and elevated year-to-date returns. KEYS remains competitive given its upcoming catalysts and established role in testing infrastructure. Outcomes will depend on the execution of near-term earnings and broader technology spending trends.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is KEYS is a Hold and MKSI is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
KEYS’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileMKSI’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- KEYS’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- MKSI’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
KEYS’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MKSI’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KEYS’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
- MKSI’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
KEYS (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) experienced а -2.51% price change this week, while MKSI (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) price change was -6.90% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Equipment/Instruments industry was -6.78%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +27.92%, and the average quarterly price growth was +32.51%.
Reported Earning Dates
KEYS is expected to report earnings on Aug 19, 2026.
MKSI is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Equipment/Instruments (-6.78% weekly)This industry manufactures electronic products used in various critical and sophisticated technologies, including laser-based systems, circuit and continuity testers, electro-optical measuring instruments and high-speed precision weighing and inspection equipment. Some major companies operating in this business are Canon Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., and Fortive Corp.
| KEYS | MKSI | KEYS / MKSI | |
| Capitalization | 56.4B | 20.4B | 276% |
| EBITDA | 1.5B | 906M | 166% |
| Gain YTD | 62.326 | 89.092 | 70% |
| P/E Ratio | 53.11 | 63.11 | 84% |
| Revenue | 5.68B | 4.07B | 139% |
| Total Cash | 2.18B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 2.77B | 4.29B | 65% |
KEYS | MKSI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 61 | 91 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 65 Fair valued | 57 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 20 | 44 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 52 | 64 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 22 | 7 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
MKSI's Valuation (57) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KEYS (65) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that MKSI’s stock grew similarly to KEYS’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's Profit vs Risk Rating (20) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as MKSI (44) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that KEYS’s stock grew similarly to MKSI’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's SMR Rating (52) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as MKSI (64) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that KEYS’s stock grew similarly to MKSI’s over the last 12 months.
MKSI's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KEYS (39) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that MKSI’s stock grew similarly to KEYS’s over the last 12 months.
MKSI's P/E Growth Rating (7) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KEYS (22) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that MKSI’s stock grew similarly to KEYS’s over the last 12 months.
| KEYS | MKSI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 70% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 75% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 4 days ago 76% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 75% |
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