MKS Instruments (MKSI) = 2 Top Analysts Pounding the Table to Buy Shares

By Steve Reitmeister, Editor-in-Chief, WallStreetZen
January 20, 2025 9:45 PM UTC
MKS Instruments (MKSI) = 2 Top Analysts Pounding the Table to Buy Shares

MKS Instruments (MKSI) has been in and out of my newsletter portfolios over the years. That’s because when industry conditions are right, they can go on a long earnings momentum run that leads to great share price outperformance. 

And yes, that appears to be happening now. 

Many people overly simplify what MKSI does by saying that it is in the semiconductor equipment and testing market. Yes...that is 41% of the story.  Beyond that 34% comes from specialty industrial applications and another 25% from electronics and packaging.

Meaning they serve a diversified group of growth industries and provide a less risky way to invest in those arenas.  Gladly industry conditions look quite good right now.

That was not the case from about 2021 til end of 2023. Then they turned the corner with an average earnings beat of 41% the past 4 quarters.

The last time they had a run like this was coming into 2021 when shares nearly touched $200. We are quite a bit below that at a little above $120, but does give an idea of some of the upside potential if this earnings momentum run continues.

Digging into the Zen Ratings, shares are in the top 14% overall. Dragging them down from an even better rating is the Momentum factors because of how weak semiconductors have been of late. But that is overshadowed by the strength in other areas like top 12% Growth and top 24% Value. 

AI is also a plus factor in their column in top 29% of all stocks reviewed. Remember this is looking for markers of stocks that outperform in the near term. Certainly it was accurate with the recent pop from $110 to $120. Gladly there is plenty of reason to believe in more upside ahead. 

That’s because there is no shortage of top analysts pounding the table on MKSI. 

$150 target from Joseph Moore of Morgan Stanley (top 2% of all analysts for stock picking performance).

$156 street high target recently put on by James Ricchiuti @ Needham (top 1% of all analysts). 

The note from Ricchiuti came out on 1/15 which is strong foreshadowing of a good earnings report on the way this quarter. Meaning that analysts are not going to reiterate their Buy recommendations BEFORE earnings unless all their analysis points to a healthy beat on the way. 

These targets are 25-30% above current levels which is solid. However, if MKSI’s recent beat and raise tradition continues, then $200 is not out of the question coming into 2026 making this an obvious Stock of the Week selection. 

What To Do Next?

MKS Instruments (MKSI) is just one of the timely stocks found in my Zen Investor portfolio.

We are harnessing the power of the Zen Ratings model as well as tapping top Wall Street analyst recommendations to find more stocks with 100%+ upside potential. 

If that is of interest to you, then please click below…

Discover the Zen Investor portfolio & top stocks now > 

MKS Instruments (MKSI) has been in and out of my newsletter portfolios over the years. That’s because when industry conditions are right, they can go on a long earnings momentum run that leads to great share price outperformance. 

And yes, that appears to be happening now. 

Many people overly simplify what MKSI does by saying that it is in the semiconductor equipment and testing market. Yes...that is 41% of the story.  Beyond that 34% comes from specialty industrial applications and another 25% from electronics and packaging.

Meaning they serve a diversified group of growth industries and provide a less risky way to invest in those arenas.  Gladly industry conditions look quite good right now.

That was not the case from about 2021 til end of 2023. Then they turned the corner with an average earnings beat of 41% the past 4 quarters.

The last time they had a run like this was coming into 2021 when shares nearly touched $200. We are quite a bit below that at a little above $120, but does give an idea of some of the upside potential if this earnings momentum run continues.

Digging into the Zen Ratings, shares are in the top 14% overall. Dragging them down from an even better rating is the Momentum factors because of how weak semiconductors have been of late. But that is overshadowed by the strength in other areas like top 12% Growth and top 24% Value. 

AI is also a plus factor in their column in top 29% of all stocks reviewed. Remember this is looking for markers of stocks that outperform in the near term. Certainly it was accurate with the recent pop from $110 to $120. Gladly there is plenty of reason to believe in more upside ahead. 

That’s because there is no shortage of top analysts pounding the table on MKSI. 

$150 target from Joseph Moore of Morgan Stanley (top 2% of all analysts for stock picking performance).

$156 street high target recently put on by James Ricchiuti @ Needham (top 1% of all analysts). 

The note from Ricchiuti came out on 1/15 which is strong foreshadowing of a good earnings report on the way this quarter. Meaning that analysts are not going to reiterate their Buy recommendations BEFORE earnings unless all their analysis points to a healthy beat on the way. 

These targets are 25-30% above current levels which is solid. However, if MKSI’s recent beat and raise tradition continues, then $200 is not out of the question coming into 2026 making this an obvious Stock of the Week selection. 

What To Do Next?

MKS Instruments (MKSI) is just one of the timely stocks found in my Zen Investor portfolio.

We are harnessing the power of the Zen Ratings model as well as tapping top Wall Street analyst recommendations to find more stocks with 100%+ upside potential. 

If that is of interest to you, then please click below…

Discover the Zen Investor portfolio & top stocks now > 

Wishing you a world of investment success!

Steve Reitmeister…but everyone calls me Reity (pronounced “Righty”)

Editor of the Zen Investor

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