MKSI vs PLAB: Correlation
How closely do MKS Inc. (MKSI) and Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.50, which is moderate.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are MKSI and PLAB?
Over the past 3 years, MKSI and PLAB moved with a correlation of 0.50, which is moderate. The link has loosened recently: the 1-year correlation (0.31) runs below the 3-year figure (0.50). Over 5 years the correlation is 0.54, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 1538.4 %².
Among the 41 assets we track against MKSI, PLAB ranks #36 by 3-year correlation. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with MKSI ahead by 131.3 points (+157.5% versus +26.2%).
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
MKSI vs PLAB: side by side
| MKSI (MKS Inc.) | PLAB (Photronics, Inc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +157.5% | +26.2% |
| 5-year return | +88.2% | +106.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 50.8% | 60.0% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 2.39 | 1.56 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -59.1% | -50.6% |
| Market cap | $18.3B | $1.8B |
| P/E (trailing) | 43.3 | 10.8 |
| Dividend yield | 0.35% | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | MKSI | PLAB |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -51.0% | -10.7% |
| 2023 | +22.6% | +86.4% |
| 2024 | +2.2% | -24.9% |
| 2025 | +54.4% | +35.8% |
| 2026 | +70.0% | -5.4% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are MKSI and PLAB good diversifiers for each other?
Only partially. A correlation of 0.50 means MKSI and PLAB share most of their swings. Pairing them dampens volatility somewhat, but it will not protect against a common drawdown.
FAQ
What is the correlation between MKSI and PLAB?
The MKSI/PLAB correlation stands at 0.50 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.31, 5 years: 0.54), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is PLAB a good diversifier for MKSI?
Only partially. A correlation of 0.50 means MKSI and PLAB share most of their swings. Pairing them dampens volatility somewhat, but it will not protect against a common drawdown.
What does a correlation of 0.50 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/mksi-vs-plab.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/mksi-vs-plab/)
No key needed, free to use. Full endpoint list in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: MKSI correlations · PLAB correlations
