Core Viewpoint - Daktronics (DAKT) is currently viewed as a more attractive option for value investors compared to MKS (MKSI) based on various valuation metrics and earnings outlook [3][7]. Valuation Metrics - DAKT has a forward P/E ratio of 17.20, while MKSI has a forward P/E of 21.24, indicating that DAKT may be undervalued relative to MKSI [5]. - The PEG ratio for DAKT is 0.57, suggesting a better valuation considering expected earnings growth, compared to MKSI's PEG ratio of 1.66 [5]. - DAKT's P/B ratio stands at 3.2, while MKSI's P/B ratio is higher at 4.18, further supporting DAKT's position as a more attractive value investment [6]. Earnings Outlook - DAKT is experiencing an improving earnings outlook, which enhances its attractiveness in the Zacks Rank model, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [3][7].

Group 1 - Mizuho raised the price target on MKS Inc. (MKSI) to $195 from $175, maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares [1] - The firm anticipates upside potential for 2026 following an improved outlook for wafer fab equipment (WFE) [1] - The positive WFE outlook is seen as beneficial for MKS Inc. according to the analyst's research note [1]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - The Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score focuses on a stock's future prospects and financial health, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, using factors like one-week price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to identify companies with the best value, growth forecasts, and momentum, serving as a strong indicator alongside the Zacks Rank [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +23.81% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - Investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B to maximize potential success [10] - Stocks with lower ranks, even if they have good Style Scores, may still face downward earnings forecasts, increasing the risk of price declines [11] Company Spotlight: MKS Inc. - MKS Inc. is a global provider of instruments and process control solutions for advanced manufacturing [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, MKS is projected to have a year-over-year earnings growth of 15.8% for the current fiscal year [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MKS has increased by $0.61 to $7.62 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +12.4% [13]

Company Overview - MKS is a 65-year-old company that initially focused on a single product, an instrument for measuring pressure inside vacuum chambers, which has maintained a 1 market share for 55 years [2] - The company has expanded its offerings to include critical subsystems surrounding vacuum chambers, such as valves, RF power, plasma, and mass flow controls [2] Strategic Acquisitions - In 2015, MKS acquired Newport Corporation, which had approximately 20 product lines including lasers, optics, and motion, complementing MKS's existing vacuum and subsystem products [3] - The acquisition of Newport allowed MKS to fill gaps in semiconductor equipment, specifically in lithography, metrology, and inspection [3]

Summary of MKS Instruments FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: MKS Instruments (NasdaqGS: MKSI) - **Industry**: Semiconductor Equipment and Advanced Electronics - **History**: Founded 65 years ago, initially focused on vacuum pressure measurement, expanded into semiconductor equipment, and has maintained a leading market share in vacuum equipment for semiconductors for over 55 years [2][56] Key Points and Arguments Market Position and Strategy - MKS has developed a comprehensive strategy surrounding semiconductor equipment, acquiring Newport Corporation in 2015, which added critical components like lithography, metrology, and inspection, allowing MKS to address 85% of equipment in semiconductor fabs globally [3][56] - The company has expanded into new markets, including laser applications for PCB manufacturing through acquisitions like Electro Scientific Industries and Atotech, aiming to be foundational to advanced electronics beyond just semiconductors [4][57] Growth Drivers - **Electronics and Packaging (E&P)**: MKS expects about 20% growth for the full year, driven by strong demand for chemistry products in the PCB industry, particularly from AI applications [8][61] - **Chemistry and Equipment**: The E&P segment consists of two-thirds chemistry and one-third equipment, with chemistry growing at approximately 10% year-over-year, supported by increased complexity in AI server PCBs [12][65] - **Equipment Orders**: MKS has seen strong bookings for chemistry equipment, with orders booked through the first half of 2026, indicating robust growth potential [16][69] Financial Performance - **Gross Margins**: Current gross margins are impacted by a mix of equipment sales and tariffs, with a target to return to over 47% as the mix normalizes and operational efficiencies improve [19][71] - **Tariff Impact**: Tariffs have negatively affected gross margins by approximately 50 basis points, but MKS is confident in offsetting this through operational excellence [36][71] Semiconductor Market Outlook - MKS anticipates a 10% growth in the semiconductor segment for the year, driven by inventory burn-off in NAND and upgrades in logic, DRAM, and HBM [22][75] - The company is addressing concerns about cleanroom capacity, which could constrain growth, but sees potential upside from NAND upgrades and new greenfield projects [26][78] R&D and Competitive Advantage - MKS emphasizes the importance of R&D investment to maintain a competitive edge, particularly in complex technologies like atomic layer deposition (ALD) and RF power systems [28][32] - The company has doubled its revenue in the optics segment from $150 million to $300 million over five years, indicating successful growth in this area [20][72] Future Expectations - MKS is optimistic about 2026, expecting continued growth driven by strong demand across various semiconductor applications, with a focus on maintaining close communication with major customers to anticipate needs [24][77] - The company aims to achieve a net leverage of 2 to 2.5 times in the next couple of years, focusing on debt repayment and capital allocation strategies [42][43] Additional Important Insights - MKS's unique position in the market allows it to benefit from various semiconductor trends, including the shift towards more complex chip packaging and the integration of AI technologies [5][6] - The company’s strategy of managing a broad portfolio of critical subsystems positions it well to adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements [30][31]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. reported strong Q3 2025 earnings, with adjusted earnings of $1.93 per share, exceeding estimates by 7.22% and showing a year-over-year increase of 12.2% [2] - Revenues reached $988 million, surpassing consensus estimates by 2.7% and reflecting a 10.3% year-over-year growth [2] Revenue Breakdown - Product revenues, accounting for 87% of total revenues, amounted to $860 million, up 10.8% year over year [3] - Service revenues, making up 13% of total revenues, increased by 6.7% year over year to $128 million [3] - Semiconductor market revenues (42% of total revenues) rose 9.8% year over year to $415 million [4] - Electronics & Packaging revenues (29.3% of total revenues) grew significantly by 25.1% year over year to $289 million [4] - Specialty Industrial revenues (28.7% of total revenues) saw a slight decline of 1% year over year to $284 million [4] - Vacuum Solutions revenues (39.1% of total revenues) increased by 11.9% year over year to $386 million [5] - Photonics Solutions revenues (25.2% of total revenues) decreased by 0.8% year over year to $249 million [5] - Materials Solutions revenues (35.7% of total revenues) climbed 17.7% year over year to $353 million [5] Operating Performance - Adjusted gross margin contracted by 160 basis points year over year to 46.7% [6] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.4% year over year to $240 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.3%, down 160 basis points [6] - Total operating expenses rose by 8% year over year to $256 million [6] - Non-GAAP operating income was $205 million, reflecting a 5.1% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted operating margin of 20.7%, down 100 basis points [7] Balance Sheet Highlights - As of September 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $697 million, up from $674 million as of June 30 [8] - Long-term debt totaled $4.25 billion [8] - Cash flow from operations was $197 million in Q3 2025, compared to $165 million in the previous quarter [8] - Free cash flow increased to $147 million from $136 million in Q2 2025 [8] Q4 Guidance - MKS expects Q4 2025 revenues to be around $990 million, with a margin of +/- $40 million [9] - The company anticipates a gross margin of 46% (+/- 1%) and adjusted EBITDA of $235 million (+/- $24 million) [9][10] Market Sentiment - There has been a positive trend in estimates, with a 30.85% shift in consensus estimates over the past month [11] - MKS holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expectations for an in-line return in the coming months [13] Industry Comparison - MKS operates within the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, where competitor Timken (TKR) reported revenues of $1.16 billion, reflecting a year-over-year change of +2.7% [14] - Timken's expected earnings for the current quarter indicate a change of -6% from the previous year, with a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) as well [15]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. has been recognized as one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2026 by Newsweek and Statista, marking the third consecutive year of this recognition [1][2]. Company Overview - MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) provides enabling technologies that transform various industries, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, packaging, and specialty industrial applications [5]. - The company delivers foundational technology solutions that enhance process performance, optimize productivity, and enable innovations for leading technology and industrial companies [5]. - MKS's solutions address challenges related to miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing, as well as increasing performance requirements across various industrial applications [5]. Recognition Criteria - The ranking of America's Most Responsible Companies evaluates the top 2,000 public U.S.-based companies by revenue, using over 30 key performance indicators and a public survey of 18,000 U.S. residents [4].

Core Insights - MKS Inc. will participate in a fireside chat at the Nasdaq 53 Investor Conference on December 9, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. EST [1] - A live webcast of the session will be available on the company's Investor Relations website, with a replay accessible for a limited time afterward [2] Company Overview - MKS Inc. is a global provider of enabling technologies that transform various industries, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, packaging, and specialty industrial applications [3] - The company delivers foundational technology solutions, including instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions, and specialty chemicals technology, aimed at improving process performance and optimizing productivity [3] - MKS's solutions address challenges related to miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing, enhancing power, speed, features, and connectivity [3]

Core Insights - Madison Mid Cap Fund's Class I returned 1.9% in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell Midcap Index which increased by 5.3% [1] - The Information Technology sector led performance in both the quarter and year-to-date [1] Company Performance - MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) reported a one-month return of -3.11% but gained 20.51% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $138.49 per share with a market capitalization of $9.302 billion on November 20, 2025 [2] - MKS Instruments, Inc. achieved revenue of $988 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 2% sequential increase and a 10% year-over-year growth [4] Investment Sentiment - MKS Instruments, Inc. was highlighted as a strong performer in the technology sector during Q3, benefiting from an improving semiconductor cycle and positive investor sentiment [3] - The number of hedge funds holding MKS Instruments, Inc. increased from 32 to 33 in the second quarter of 2025 [4]

Company Overview - MKS is a leading technology solutions and subsystems provider focused on advanced semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, and packaging [1] Leadership and Presentation - The session features Ram Mayampurath, Executive Vice President and CFO, and Keith Loop, Vice President of Vacuum Systems and Services [2] - A presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, allowing for audience engagement [2]