MKS Instruments (MKSI) has consistently beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings and revenue. The most recent report was a blowout, yet the stock ended up lower in the session following the report. Let's take a look at the quarter, the earnings history, estimate revisions and of course the valuation. I think you will like what you see from this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock seeing as it is the Bull of the Day.
The Numbers
MKSI beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.47 when it reported $0.72 last week. This $0.25 beat was good for a 53% positive earnings surprise.
The topline was equally as impressive with the company delivering $326M in sales when the Zacks Consensus Estimate was looking for $293M. That $33M beat was good for an 11% positive revenue surprise.
Description
MKS Instruments makes instruments, components and subsystems used to measure, control and analyze gases in semiconductor manufacturing and similar industrial manufacturing processes. They offer a range of products including but not limited to semiconductors, optical filters and fiber optics cables, magnetic and optical storage devices and media, solar panels, eyeglasses, architectural glass, cutting tools, and freeze-dried pharmaceuticals.
Earnings History
The last time MKSI missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate was in 2012. Since then, there has been a string of 15 consecutive positive earnings surprises. This is a very enviable track record and demonstrates management's ability to guide Wall Street to a beatable number and then still outperforming expectations.
The topline also has a very strong history. The company has not missed on top since September 2012 (the same report in which MKSI missed on the bottom line). So what does that look like? Check this chart out:
Price and EPS Surprise
Price and EPS Surprise | Quote
Estimates
When you have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) you are going to see positive earnings estimate revisions. Following the most recent beat, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 has moved from $2.25 to $2.65. That is a big jump of 17.7%
The 2017 numbers are really the story here. I am not sure I can say it any better than this picture:
The 2017 Zacks Consensus Estimate was $2.36 back in April and is now $3.32 just 4 months later. That is a HUGE move.
Valuation
I have already painted a picture that is pretty good, but this is where the rubber meets the road.
I see MKSI trading at 17x forward estimates while the industry average trades at 18x. This is a small discount, but check out the other metrics that investors commonly look to. The price to book multiple of 2.1x is well below the 4x industry average while the price to sales multiple of 2.7x is much less than half the 6.4x industry average.