MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Upgraded to Strong-Buy by Mizuho

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) was upgraded by Mizuho to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Monday, Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup downgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. They set a “buy” rating and a $160.00 price target on the stock. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $141.09.

MKS Instruments Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of MKS Instruments stock opened at $107.07 on Monday. MKS Instruments has a 12-month low of $63.44 and a 12-month high of $147.40. The company has a market cap of $7.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.01, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a current ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $111.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.26.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last announced 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. The firm had revenue of $887.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $866.38 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.25% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.32 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that MKS Instruments will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $30,865.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 10,533 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,300,404.18. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,079,805.98. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $30,865.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 10,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,300,404.18. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,575 shares of company stock worth $303,660. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its stake in MKS Instruments by 196.9% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Finally, Key Financial Inc bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Company 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.