Free cash flow
MKS Instruments Free cash flow decreased by 69.6% to $28.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 77.2%, from $123.00M to $28.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -2.6% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $149.00M | $133.00M | $171.00M | $22.00M | $41.00M | $173.00M | $129.00M | $20.00M | -$77.00M | $142.00M | $147.00M | $49.00M | $95.00M | $141.00M | $125.00M | $123.00M | $136.00M | $146.00M | $92.00M | $28.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -10.7% | +28.6% | -87.1% | +86.4% | +322.0% | -25.4% | -84.5% | -485.0% | +284.4% | +3.5% | -66.7% | +93.9% | +48.4% | -11.3% | -1.6% | +10.6% | +7.4% | -37.0% | -69.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -72.5% | +30.1% | -24.6% | -9.1% | -287.8% | -17.9% | +14.0% | +145.0% | +223.4% | -0.7% | -15.0% | +151.0% | +43.2% | +3.5% | -26.4% | -77.2% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is MKS Instruments's free cash flow?
- MKS Instruments (MKSI) reported free cash flow of $28.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has MKS Instruments's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- MKS Instruments's free cash flow decreased by 77.2% year-over-year, from $123.00M to $28.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for MKS Instruments's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), MKS Instruments's free cash flow has grown at a -2.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $553.00M to $497.00M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.