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COHR or KEYS or MKSI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coherent Corp (COHR) vs. Keysight Technologies (KEYS) vs. MKS Inc (MKSI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COHR leads with approximately 82% YTD gains, driven by AI datacenter optics demand, outpacing the S&P 500's 6% rise.
- KEYS follows closely at 75% YTD, bolstered by strong Q1 earnings and AI infrastructure testing solutions.
- MKSI shows 80% YTD performance, supported by semiconductor equipment momentum amid AI chip production growth.
- All three stocks have surged over 140% in the past year, reflecting sector tailwinds in photonics, testing, and semiconductor tools, far exceeding broader market returns.
- Recent weeks saw gains of 40-50% for COHR and MKSI, with KEYS at 25%, highlighting sustained momentum.
- Valuations reflect growth premiums, with COHR's P/E over 300x versus 60x for peers, signaling high expectations for datacom expansion.
Introduction
Coherent Corp (COHR), Keysight Technologies (KEYS), and MKS Inc (MKSI) operate in the interconnected realms of photonics, electronic testing, and semiconductor process equipment. This stock comparison analyzes their relative performance amid surging demand for AI infrastructure, data centers, and advanced manufacturing. Traders seeking momentum plays and investors eyeing technology sector exposure will find value in understanding their business models, recent price action, and market positioning in the current environment of robust capex spending by hyperscalers.
COHR Overview and Recent Performance
Coherent Corp (COHR) develops and manufactures lasers, optical transceivers, and engineered materials for datacenters, communications, and industrial applications. In recent market activity, the stock has delivered exceptional gains, with YTD returns around 82% and over 370% in the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500. Recent weeks have seen monthly advances exceeding 40%, fueled by AI-driven demand for high-speed optical components like 800G transceivers. Sentiment has strengthened following earnings beats, NVIDIA partnerships, and inclusion in major indices, with the datacenter segment now comprising 72% of revenue. Price momentum reflects expanding gross margins nearing 40% and sequential order growth in photonics for AI infrastructure.
KEYS Overview and Recent Performance
Keysight Technologies (KEYS) provides electronic design and test solutions for communications, aerospace, automotive, and semiconductors. The stock has posted strong YTD gains of about 75%, with 140% over the past year, driven by AI and next-gen network testing needs. In recent weeks, shares rose over 25% monthly, following record Q1 revenue of $1.6 billion (up 23% YoY) and EPS beats, with the Communications Solutions Group surging 27%. Positive sentiment stems from raised guidance, robust orders up 30%, and solutions for AI data center validation, positioning KEYS amid hyperscaler expansions in high-performance computing.
MKSI Overview and Recent Performance
MKS Inc (MKSI), formerly MKS Instruments, supplies foundational technologies like vacuum systems and gas control for semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, and industrial applications. Recent performance includes 80% YTD returns and nearly 300% over the past year, reflecting semiconductor recovery. Shares advanced over 30% in recent weeks, supported by AI chip production ramps and expectations for Q1 earnings. Momentum builds on sector tailwinds, with revenue growth projected at 12% for the quarter, though prior Q4 EPS slightly missed. Exposure to advanced nodes and packaging drives investor interest in this critical supply chain player.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
COHR, KEYS, and MKSI share AI/semiconductor exposure but diverge in focus: COHR emphasizes photonics for datacom (72% revenue), KEYS testing for networks/AI validation, and MKSI process tools for chip fab. Growth drivers include hyperscaler capex for all, but COHR shows strongest recent momentum (42% monthly). Risk factors: COHR's elevated P/E (323x) versus peers' 60x signals volatility from growth bets; MKSI carries higher debt. Sector ties amplify cyclicality, yet sentiment favors optics/testing amid bandwidth surges. Valuation sensitivity highest for COHR, trading at a premium for datacenter purity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors COHR due to superior trend consistency in recent months, unmatched YTD/1-year outperformance, and catalysts like datacom order acceleration. While all exhibit strong relative positioning, COHR's photonics alignment with AI bandwidth needs offers probabilistic edge over KEYS' testing stability and MKSI's fab exposure, barring shifts in semi capex.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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).
COHR’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileKEYS’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s), and MKSI’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- COHR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KEYS’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
COHR’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KEYS’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s), and MKSI’s TA Score reflects 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COHR’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- KEYS’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MKSI’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
COHR (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) experienced а +15.10% price change this week, while KEYS (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) price change was +4.27% , and MKSI (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) price fluctuated +9.67% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Equipment/Instruments industry was +2.01%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +12.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was +14.05%.
Reported Earning Dates
COHR is expected to report earnings on Aug 13, 2026.
KEYS is expected to report earnings on May 19, 2026.
MKSI is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Equipment/Instruments (+2.01% 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.
| COHR | KEYS | MKSI | |
| Capitalization | 74.3B | 62.8B | 21.6B |
| EBITDA | 1.23B | 1.5B | 906M |
| Gain YTD | 105.716 | 80.304 | 100.262 |
| P/E Ratio | 180.80 | 64.50 | 66.88 |
| Revenue | 6.6B | 5.68B | 4.07B |
| Total Cash | 2.42B | 2.18B | 569M |
| Total Debt | 3.43B | 2.77B | 4.29B |
COHR | KEYS | MKSI | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 24 | 23 | 26 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 87 Overvalued | 77 Overvalued | 66 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 17 | 45 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 85 | 51 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 5 | 35 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 21 | 7 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 50 | n/a |
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 (66) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KEYS (77) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is in the same range as COHR (87) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that MKSI's stock grew similarly to KEYS’s and similarly to COHR’s over the last 12 months.
COHR's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as KEYS (17) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for MKSI (45) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that COHR's stock grew similarly to KEYS’s and somewhat faster than MKSI’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's SMR Rating (51) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as MKSI (62) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for COHR (85) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that KEYS's stock grew similarly to MKSI’s and somewhat faster than COHR’s over the last 12 months.
KEYS's Price Growth Rating (5) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry is in the same range as MKSI (35) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry, and is in the same range as COHR (35) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that KEYS's stock grew similarly to MKSI’s and similarly to COHR’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 (21) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for COHR (54) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that MKSI's stock grew similarly to KEYS’s and somewhat faster than COHR’s over the last 12 months.
| COHR | KEYS | MKSI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 80% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | N/A | 2 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 74% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 74% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 85% | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 15 days ago 79% | 15 days ago 57% | 14 days ago 76% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 74% |
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COHR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, COHR has been loosely correlated with MKSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 63% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if COHR jumps, then MKSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To COHR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHR | 100% | +13.25% | ||
| MKSI - COHR | 63% Loosely correlated | +2.08% | ||
| KEYS - COHR | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.68% | ||
| VPG - COHR | 41% Loosely correlated | -0.95% | ||
| ESE - COHR | 39% Loosely correlated | -1.74% | ||
| ST - COHR | 38% Loosely correlated | +0.80% | ||
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KEYS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KEYS has been loosely correlated with ST. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KEYS jumps, then ST could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KEYS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEYS | 100% | +1.68% | ||
| ST - KEYS | 54% Loosely correlated | +0.80% | ||
| MKSI - KEYS | 52% Loosely correlated | +2.08% | ||
| COHR - KEYS | 50% Loosely correlated | +13.25% | ||
| TDY - KEYS | 48% Loosely correlated | +1.80% | ||
| ESE - KEYS | 46% Loosely correlated | -1.74% | ||
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MKSI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MKSI has been loosely correlated with COHR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 63% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MKSI jumps, then COHR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MKSI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKSI | 100% | +2.08% | ||
| COHR - MKSI | 63% Loosely correlated | +13.25% | ||
| ST - MKSI | 58% Loosely correlated | +0.80% | ||
| KEYS - MKSI | 52% Loosely correlated | +1.68% | ||
| HXGBY - MKSI | 48% Loosely correlated | -1.64% | ||
| ESE - MKSI | 48% Loosely correlated | -1.74% | ||
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