PLAB vs MKSI

For growth investors, MKS Inc.

(MKSI) is the stronger pick with 9. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 0% for Photronics, Inc. (PLAB). Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (22. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) a "Buy" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Photronics, Inc.

(PLAB) is the cheapest at 22. 1x versus MKS Inc. at 68. 8x. On forward P/E, Photronics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Photronics, Inc.

(PLAB) delivered a total return of +281. 5%, compared to +66. 5% for MKS Inc. (MKSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MKSI returned +750. 6% versus PLAB's +390. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MKS Inc.

(MKSI) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 64β versus Photronics, Inc. 's 2. 88β — meaning PLAB is approximately 9% more volatile than MKSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MKS Inc.

(MKSI) is pulling ahead at 9. 6% versus -2. 0% for Photronics, Inc. (PLAB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MKS Inc. grew EPS 55. 5% year-over-year, compared to 9. 1% for Photronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MKSI leads at 3. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Photronics, Inc.

(PLAB) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 1% net margin versus 7. 5% for MKS Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PLAB leads at 24. 5% versus 14. 4% for MKSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MKSI leads at 40. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Photronics, Inc.

(PLAB) trades at 22. 3x forward P/E versus 30. 4x for MKS Inc. — 8. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PLAB: -2. 0% to $49. 33.

In this comparison, MKSI (0.

3% yield) pays a dividend. PLAB does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MKS Inc.

(MKSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+750. 6% 10Y return). Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) carries a higher beta of 2. 88 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MKSI: +750. 6%, PLAB: +390. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.