Curtiss-Wright (CW) vs MKS (MKSI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
MKS (MKSI) has outperformed Curtiss-Wright (CW) over the past year, gaining 95.8% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, CW leads with a +285.9% price change compared with +80.0% for MKSI. Curtiss-Wright is the larger company by market cap ($18.74 billion vs $17.61 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, MKS trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 29.6x for Curtiss-Wright). MKS offers the higher dividend yield (0.36% vs 0.19%). Curtiss-Wright converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 7.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CW | MKSI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $507.29 | $260.38 |
| Market cap | $18.74B | $17.61B |
| 1-day change | -0.36% | -4.68% |
| YTD return | -7.98% | +62.94% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +95.82% |
| 5-year return | +285.89% | +79.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.94 | 41.40 |
| Forward P/E | 29.57 | 14.75 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.52 | $6.29 |
| Dividend yield | 0.19% | 0.36% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $0.94 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.50B | $3.93B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.08% | +9.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.23M | $295.00M |
| Gross margin | 37.20% | 46.73% |
| Operating margin | 18.11% | 13.43% |
| Net margin | 13.84% | 7.50% |
| 52-week high | $808.16 | $447.62 |
| 52-week low | $501.60 | $120.91 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.23% | -41.83% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.99% | +57.79% |
| Average volume | 362.27K | 1.33M |
| Shares outstanding | 36.93M | 67.62M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 10,200 |
| Sector | Technology | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- MKSI has outperformed CW by 104.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Curtiss-Wright is more profitable, keeping 13.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.5 cents for MKS.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Curtiss-Wright in Technology and MKS in Industrials.
About Curtiss-Wright
CW stock →Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial nuclear power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power.
Technology · Industrial Machinery/Components · 9,200 employees
About MKS
MKSI stock →MKS Inc. provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and internationally.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 10,200 employees
CW vs MKSI FAQ
Which is bigger, Curtiss-Wright or MKS?
Curtiss-Wright (CW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.74B compared with $17.61B for MKS (MKSI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CW or MKSI?
MKSI returned +95.82% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.92% for CW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CW or MKSI?
CW has the lower trailing P/E at 34.9, versus 41.4 for MKSI. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Curtiss-Wright or MKS?
MKS has the higher yield at 0.36%, compared with 0.19% for Curtiss-Wright.
Are Curtiss-Wright and MKS in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Technology sector.