MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans trimmed its position in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 6.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 245,019 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 18,284 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.37% of MKS Instruments worth $31,994,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the first quarter valued at $25,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the first quarter valued at $25,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Key Financial Inc acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the second quarter valued at $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ MKSI opened at $109.45 on Tuesday. 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 business’s 50-day moving average price is $116.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $123.58. The firm has a market cap of $7.34 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.64.

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

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Monday, August 26th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 26th. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is currently -3.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on MKSI shares. Needham & Company LLC increased their price objective on MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, August 5th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen increased their target price on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lowered MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $120.00 in a report on Monday, September 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $142.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP John Edward Williams sold 1,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.71, for a total transaction of $213,678.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 13 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,543.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,325 shares of company stock valued at $276,435 over the last quarter. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

MKS Instruments Profile

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.