MKSI vs. TSEM: MKS vs. Tower Semiconductor Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) both belong to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, though MKSI is classified under Semiconductor Materials & Equipment while TSEM falls under Semiconductors.

Company profile comparison for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Profile Item	MKSI	TSEM
Name	MKS Inc.	Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Country/Region	United States	Israel
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Industry	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-Industry	Semiconductor Materials & Equipment	Semiconductors
Market Capitalization	13.00 billion USD	15.59 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	March 30, 1999	October 26, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

MKSI

TSEM

GSPC

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Total Return (1Y)	35.07%	78.71%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	46.46%	83.79%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	6.02%	32.56%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

MKSI

TSEM

GSPC

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

MKS (MKSI) carries a highly aggressive beta of 2.12, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, whereas Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) is closer to market-like at 0.99 — a noticeable difference in market-sensitivity profile.

Risk profile metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	62.92%	84.90%
Beta (5Y)	2.12	0.99
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-66.57%	-58.66%
Avg. Volume (3M)	1.36M	2.22M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

MKSI and TSEM are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.49	0.88
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.70	1.32

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both MKS (MKSI) at 20.46% and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 11.86% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

20.46%

Max: 52.82%
Q3: 22.26%
MKSI: 20.46%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 1.29%
Min: -16.89%

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

11.86%

Max: 52.82%
Q3: 22.26%
TSEM: 11.86%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 1.29%
Min: -16.89%

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both MKS (MKSI) at 12.62% and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 19.36% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

12.62%

Max: 63.80%
Q3: 28.36%
MKSI: 12.62%
Median: 11.44%
Q1: 0.90%
Min: -37.77%

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

19.36%

Max: 63.80%
Q3: 28.36%
TSEM: 19.36%
Median: 11.44%
Q1: 0.90%
Min: -37.77%

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both MKS (MKSI) at 23.21% and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 24.16% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

23.21%

Max: 58.66%
Q3: 30.23%
MKSI: 23.21%
Median: 15.91%
Q1: 7.54%
Min: -25.74%

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.16%

Max: 58.66%
Q3: 30.23%
TSEM: 24.16%
Median: 15.91%
Q1: 7.54%
Min: -25.74%

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
ROE (TTM)	20.46%	11.86%
ROA (TTM)	6.28%	6.07%
Net Margin (TTM)	12.62%	19.36%
Operating Margin (TTM)	23.21%	24.16%
Gross Margin (TTM)	47.26%	29.62%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both MKS (MKSI) at 9.62% and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 9.05% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

MKS (MKSI) at 55.52% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 4.86% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for MKSI.

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Revenue Growth (YoY)	9.62%	9.05%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	3.49%	-2.27%
EPS Growth (YoY)	55.52%	4.86%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-7.71%	-6.72%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 3.72 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while MKS (MKSI) at 1.19 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for MKSI.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.19

Max: 10.33
Q3: 5.62
Median: 3.33
Q1: 2.35
MKSI: 1.19
Min: 1.03

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.72

Max: 10.33
Q3: 5.62
TSEM: 3.72
Median: 3.33
Q1: 2.35
Min: 1.03

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 0.05 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while MKS (MKSI) at 1.22 uses more debt funding than most peers.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.22

Max: 1.46
MKSI: 1.22
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.27
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.05

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.27
TSEM: 0.05
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.19	3.72
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.22	0.05
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.67	-1.92

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile MKS (MKSI) reports a yield of 0.55%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.55%

Max: 1.37%
Q3: 0.65%
MKSI: 0.55%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 1.37%
Q3: 0.65%
TSEM: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile MKS (MKSI) reports a payout of 11.48%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

11.48%

Max: 49.64%
Q3: 21.71%
MKSI: 11.48%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 49.64%
Q3: 21.71%
TSEM: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.55%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	11.48%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

MKS (MKSI) at 22.75 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 44.16 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for MKSI, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

22.75

Max: 110.34
Q3: 66.81
Median: 37.02
Q1: 23.96
MKSI: 22.75
Min: 8.12

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

44.16

Max: 110.34
Q3: 66.81
TSEM: 44.16
Median: 37.02
Q1: 23.96
Min: 8.12

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

MKS (MKSI) at 2.72 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 8.47 prices around its industry’s middle — MKSI costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.72

Max: 21.42
Q3: 12.27
Median: 5.76
Q1: 2.73
MKSI: 2.72
Min: 0.00

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

8.47

Max: 21.42
Q3: 12.27
TSEM: 8.47
Median: 5.76
Q1: 2.73
Min: 0.00

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both MKS (MKSI) at 3.96 and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) at 4.85 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.96

Max: 14.06
Q3: 7.44
Median: 4.29
MKSI: 3.96
Q1: 2.30
Min: 0.20

TSEM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

4.85

Max: 14.06
Q3: 7.44
TSEM: 4.85
Median: 4.29
Q1: 2.30
Min: 0.20

MKS (MKSI) vs. Tower Semiconductor (TSEM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for MKS (MKSI) and Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)
Metric	MKSI	TSEM
P/E Ratio (TTM)	22.75	44.16
P/S Ratio (TTM)	2.72	8.47
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	3.96	4.85
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	4.02%	1.59%