MKSI vs. ASML

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MKSI (MKS Instruments, Inc.) and ASML (ASML Holding N.V.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — MKSI in Scientific & Technical Instruments, ASML in Semiconductor Equipment & Materials. Over the past 10 years, MKSI returned 24.05%/yr vs 33.94%/yr for ASML. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

MKSI vs. ASML - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MKS Instruments, Inc. (MKSI) and ASML Holding N.V. (ASML). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MKSI achieves a 107.56% return, which is significantly higher than ASML's 59.96% return. Over the past 10 years, MKSI has underperformed ASML with an annualized return of 24.05%, while ASML has yielded a comparatively higher 33.94% annualized return.

MKSI

• 1D: 4.33%
• 1M: 18.61%
• YTD: 107.56%
• 6M: 106.05%
• 1Y: 303.54%
• 3Y*: 51.91%
• 5Y*: 13.61%
• 10Y*: 24.05%

ASML

• 1D: 4.72%
• 1M: 19.51%
• YTD: 59.96%
• 6M: 54.35%
• 1Y: 130.24%
• 3Y*: 34.36%
• 5Y*: 21.92%
• 10Y*: 33.94%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MKSI vs. ASML - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MKSI MKS Instruments, Inc.	107.56%	54.37%	2.21%	22.62%	-50.97%	16.38%	37.70%	71.89%	-31.06%	60.48%
ASML ASML Holding N.V.	59.96%	56.51%	-7.70%	39.91%	-30.49%	64.13%	66.06%	93.56%	-9.80%	56.23%

Correlation

The correlation between MKSI and ASML is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 1999	0.61

The correlation between MKSI and ASML shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (all time) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MKSI : $23.56B ASML : $657.76B
EPS MKSI : $4.77 ASML : $25.86
PE Ratio MKSI : 69.44 ASML : 65.95
PEG Ratio MKSI : 14.63 ASML : 4.34
PS Ratio MKSI : 5.58 ASML : 19.60
PB Ratio MKSI : 8.38 ASML : 31.58
Total Revenue (TTM) MKSI : $4.07B ASML : $33.69B
Gross Profit (TTM) MKSI : $1.84B ASML : $17.72B
EBITDA (TTM) MKSI : $815.00M ASML : $12.99B

Return for Risk

MKSI vs. ASML — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MKSI

MKSI Risk / Return Rank: 98
MKSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
MKSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
MKSI Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MKSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
MKSI Martin Ratio Rank: 99

ASML

ASML Risk / Return Rank: 94
ASML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ASML Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
ASML Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ASML Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ASML Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MKSI vs. ASML - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MKS Instruments, Inc. (MKSI) and ASML Holding N.V. (ASML). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MKSI	ASML	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.03	3.23	+2.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.02	3.67	+1.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.45	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.21	7.47	+7.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	50.83	20.16	+30.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MKSI vs. ASML - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MKSI Sharpe Ratio is 6.03, which is higher than the ASML Sharpe Ratio of 3.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MKSI and ASML, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MKSI	ASML	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.03	3.23	+2.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.52	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.89	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.55	-0.29

Drawdowns

MKSI vs. ASML - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MKSI drawdown since its inception was -85.67%, roughly equal to the maximum ASML drawdown of -90.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MKSI and ASML.

Drawdown Indicators

	MKSI	ASML	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.67%	-90.00%	+4.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.06%	-17.85%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.11%	-45.38%	-13.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.51%	-56.84%	-10.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.20%	-56.84%	-12.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	0.00%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.78%	-28.15%	-17.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.00%	6.61%	-0.61%

Volatility

MKSI vs. ASML - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MKS Instruments, Inc. (MKSI) is 12.54%, while ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) has a volatility of 15.19%. This indicates that MKSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASML based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MKSI	ASML	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.54%	15.19%	-2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.95%	32.28%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.74%	40.59%	+10.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.04%	42.03%	+8.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.00%	38.50%	+8.50%

Dividends

MKSI vs. ASML - Dividend Comparison

MKSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.21%, less than ASML's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASML ASML Holding N.V.	0.52%	0.97%	0.97%	0.86%	1.27%	0.50%	0.50%	1.40%	0.94%	0.64%	0.92%	0.73%
MKSI MKS Instruments, Inc.	0.21%	0.55%	0.84%	0.86%	1.04%	0.49%	0.53%	0.73%	1.21%	0.75%	1.14%	1.88%

Financials

MKSI vs. ASML - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between MKS Instruments, Inc. and ASML Holding N.V. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

MKSI - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MKS Instruments, Inc. reported a gross profit of 507.00M and revenue of 1.08B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 47.0%.

ASML - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ASML Holding N.V. reported a gross profit of 4.65B and revenue of 8.77B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 53.0%.

MKSI - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MKS Instruments, Inc. reported an operating income of 149.00M and revenue of 1.08B, resulting in an operating margin of 13.8%.

ASML - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ASML Holding N.V. reported an operating income of 3.16B and revenue of 8.77B, resulting in an operating margin of 36.0%.

MKSI - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MKS Instruments, Inc. reported a net income of 84.00M and revenue of 1.08B, resulting in a net margin of 7.8%.

ASML - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ASML Holding N.V. reported a net income of 2.76B and revenue of 8.77B, resulting in a net margin of 31.4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MKSI and ASML in my portfolio?

MKSI and ASML have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MKSI or ASML?

ASML has higher volatility (15.19%) compared to MKSI (12.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MKSI dropped -85.67% vs ASML's -90.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MKSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.03 vs 3.23), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.