Lincoln Electric (LECO) vs MKS (MKSI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 21, 2026.
Summary
MKS (MKSI) has outperformed Lincoln Electric (LECO) over the past year, gaining 53.6% versus a gain of 8.3%. Over five years, LECO leads with a +84.8% price change compared with +44.0% for MKSI. MKS is the larger company by market cap ($14.61 billion vs $14.34 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, MKS trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 21.0x for Lincoln Electric). Lincoln Electric offers the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.43%). Lincoln Electric converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.3% 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 | LECO | MKSI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $263.13 | $216.10 |
| Market cap | $14.34B | $14.61B |
| 1-day change | +1.17% | +2.35% |
| YTD return | +9.80% | +35.23% |
| 1-year return | +8.31% | +53.56% |
| 5-year return | +84.78% | +44.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.98 | 33.56 |
| Forward P/E | 21.04 | 12.29 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.13 | $6.44 |
| Dividend yield | 1.19% | 0.43% |
| Annual dividend | $3.12 | $0.94 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.23B | $3.93B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.60% | +9.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $520.53M | $295.00M |
| Gross margin | 36.25% | 46.73% |
| Operating margin | 16.96% | 13.43% |
| Net margin | 12.30% | 7.50% |
| 52-week high | $310.00 | $447.62 |
| 52-week low | $216.22 | $132.28 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.12% | -51.72% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.43% | +88.80% |
| Average volume | 417.35K | 1.39M |
| Shares outstanding | 54.51M | 67.62M |
| Employees | 12,000 | 10,200 |
| Sector | Industrials | 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 LECO by 45.3 percentage points over the past year.
- MKS trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.6x vs 26.0x trailing P/E).
About Lincoln Electric
LECO stock →Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells welding, cutting, and brazing products in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Americas Welding, International Welding, and The Harris Products Group.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 12,000 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
LECO vs MKSI FAQ
Which is bigger, Lincoln Electric or MKS?
MKS (MKSI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.61B compared with $14.34B for Lincoln Electric (LECO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LECO or MKSI?
MKSI returned +53.56% over the past 12 months, compared with +8.31% for LECO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LECO or MKSI?
LECO has the lower trailing P/E at 26.0, versus 33.6 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, Lincoln Electric or MKS?
Lincoln Electric has the higher yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.43% for MKS.
Are Lincoln Electric and MKS in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.