MKSI
MKS Inc.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$19.39B
5Y Perf.+172.3%
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Stock Comparison
MKSI vs FELE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
FELE
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$4.42B
5Y Perf.+97.2%
MKSI vs FELE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MKSI | FELE |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $19.39B | $4.42B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.93B | $2.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $295M | $150M |
| Gross Margin | 45.2% | 35.2% |
| Operating Margin | 13.7% | 12.6% |
| Forward P/E | 29.0x | 21.8x |
| Total Debt | $4.69B | $280M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $675M | $100M |
MKSI vs FELE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MKSI
FELE
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKS Inc. (MKSI) | 100 | 272.3 | +172.3% |
| Franklin Electric C… (FELE) | 100 | 197.2 | +97.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MKSI vs FELE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FELE leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. MKS Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
MKSI
MKS Inc.
The Growth Play
MKSI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 9.6%, EPS growth 55.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.5%
- 7.2% 10Y total return vs FELE's 232.9%
- 9.6% revenue growth vs FELE's 5.4%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
FELE
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
The Income Pick
FELE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 32 yrs, beta 0.92, yield 1.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.92, Low D/E 21.1%, current ratio 2.79x
- Beta 0.92, yield 1.1%, current ratio 2.79x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MKSI | 9.6% revenue growth vs FELE's 5.4% |
| Value | FELE | Lower P/E (21.8x vs 29.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | MKSI | 7.5% margin vs FELE's 6.9% |
| Stability / Safety | FELE | Beta 0.92 vs MKSI's 2.64, lower leverage |
| Dividends | FELE | 1.1% yield, 32-year raise streak, vs MKSI's 0.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MKSI | +287.5% vs FELE's +15.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FELE | 7.6% ROA vs MKSI's 3.4%, ROIC 14.7% vs 6.5% |
MKSI vs FELE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
MKSI vs FELE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFELELAGGINGMKSI
MKSIMKS Inc.
2leads
FELEFranklin Electric Co.…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MKSIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MKSI6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FELE6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FELE8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MKSI6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
FELE2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MKSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MKSI is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.9B annually — 1.8x FELE's $2.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.5% (MKSI) to 6.9% (FELE).
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.9B | $2.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $883M | $322M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $295M | $150M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $496M | $169M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +45.2% | +35.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.7% | +12.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.5% | +6.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +7.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.6% | +9.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.8% | +13.4% |
MKSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FELE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 30.8x trailing earnings, FELE trades at a 53% valuation discount to MKSI's 65.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, FELE's 13.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MKSI's 25.7x.
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $19.4B | $4.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $23.4B | $4.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 65.82x | 30.77x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 29.03x | 21.79x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.53x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 25.75x | 13.83x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.93x | 2.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.16x | 3.41x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 39.01x | 22.82x |
FELE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FELE leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FELE delivers a 11.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $11 for MKSI. FELE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MKSI's 1.73x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MKSI scores 6/9 vs FELE's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.8% | +11.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.4% | +7.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.5% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.2% | +18.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.73x | 0.21x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.0B | $181M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $675M | $100M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.7B | $280M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.55x | 24.75x |
FELE leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MKSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MKSI five years ago would be worth $16,551 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,202 for FELE. Over the past 12 months, MKSI leads with a +287.5% total return vs FELE's +15.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MKSI at 48.6% vs FELE's 2.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +71.0% | +3.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +287.5% | +15.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +228.0% | +7.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +65.5% | +22.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +724.4% | +232.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +48.6% | +2.6% |
MKSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MKSI and FELE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FELE is the less volatile stock with a 0.92 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MKSI's 2.64 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MKSI currently trades 96.5% from its 52-week high vs FELE's 89.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.64x | 0.92x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $298.00 | $111.53 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $71.49 | $83.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.5% | +89.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 65.6 | 48.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 291K |
Evenly matched — MKSI and FELE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
FELE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MKSI as "Buy" and FELE as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -0.0% upside for FELE (target: $100) vs -5.1% for MKSI (target: $273). For income investors, FELE offers the higher dividend yield at 1.11% vs MKSI's 0.30%.
| Metric | MKSIMKS Inc. | FELEFranklin Electric… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $272.86 | $100.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 32 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.87 | $1.11 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +3.7% |
FELE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
FELE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). MKSI leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallFranklin Electric Co., Inc. (FELE)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MKSI vs FELE: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MKSI or FELE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MKS Inc.
(MKSI) is the stronger pick with 9. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 4% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) offers the better valuation at 30. 8x trailing P/E (21. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MKS Inc. (MKSI) a "Buy" — based on 29 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.
02Which has the better valuation — MKSI or FELE?
On trailing P/E, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the cheapest at 30. 8x versus MKS Inc. at 65. 8x. On forward P/E, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MKSI or FELE?
Over the past 5 years, MKS Inc.
(MKSI) delivered a total return of +65. 5%, compared to +22. 0% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MKSI returned +724. 4% versus FELE's +232. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — MKSI or FELE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus MKS Inc. 's 2. 64β — meaning MKSI is approximately 188% more volatile than FELE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 173% for MKS Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MKSI or FELE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MKS Inc.
(MKSI) is pulling ahead at 9. 6% versus 5. 4% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MKS Inc. grew EPS 55. 5% year-over-year, compared to -15. 8% for Franklin Electric Co. , 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MKSI or FELE?
MKS Inc.
(MKSI) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 5% net margin versus 6. 9% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MKSI leads at 14. 4% versus 12. 7% for FELE. 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.
07Is MKSI or FELE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) trades at 21. 8x forward P/E versus 29. 0x for MKS Inc. — 7. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FELE: -0. 0% to $100. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MKSI or FELE?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 3% for MKS Inc. (MKSI).
09Is MKSI or FELE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), 1. 1% yield, +232. 9% 10Y return). MKS Inc. (MKSI) carries a higher beta of 2. 64 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (FELE: +232. 9%, MKSI: +724. 4%), 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.
10What are the main differences between MKSI and FELE?
These companies operate in different sectors (MKSI (Technology) and FELE (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
FELE pays a dividend while MKSI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(MKSI: 10.6% · FELE: 9.9%)Net Margin>
%
(MKSI: 7.5% · FELE: 6.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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