MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Gap Up After Earnings Beat

Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) gapped up before the market opened on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $103.29, but opened at $117.75. MKS Instruments shares last traded at $115.28, with a volume of 211,454 shares traded.

The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.30. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 0.25%. The firm had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $874.29 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments’s payout ratio is 800.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on MKSI shares. KeyCorp upped their price target on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Citigroup lowered MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on MKS Instruments from $140.00 to $120.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 9th. Mizuho raised MKS Instruments to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.09.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total transaction of $27,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total transaction of $27,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,283 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 2,325 shares of company stock valued at $272,795. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in MKS Instruments in the first quarter valued at $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 196.9% during the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 53.7% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, BOKF NA purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $7.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,051.27, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.63. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $106.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $118.96. 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 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.