Meeder Asset Management Inc. Takes $43,000 Position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 326 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MKSI. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 143.1% during the 1st quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,141,676 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $282,102,000 after purchasing an additional 1,260,792 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $117,672,000. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $60,664,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $23,171,000. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 239.2% during the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 247,695 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $32,344,000 after acquiring an additional 174,675 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Up 3.7 %

NASDAQ MKSI opened at $111.85 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.31, a current ratio of 3.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52 week low of $63.44 and a 52 week high of $147.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.19, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a fifty day moving average of $119.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.31.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $887.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $866.38 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.25% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.32 EPS. On average, analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 26th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 26th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is -3.30%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on MKS Instruments from $135.00 to $120.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and issued a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on MKS Instruments from $140.00 to $120.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, August 5th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $144.20.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $30,865.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,300,404.18. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction of $31,891.75. Following the transaction, the director now owns 17,934 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,079,805.98. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total value of $30,865.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,300,404.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,325 shares of company stock valued at $276,435. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About MKS Instruments

MKS Instruments, Inc provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division (VSD), Photonics Solutions Division (PSD), and Material Solutions Division (MSD) segments.