MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $141.83.

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $142.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, November 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Mizuho raised shares of MKS Instruments to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the transaction, the director now owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total value of $34,440.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 9,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,146,048.40. This represents a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of MKS Instruments

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MKSI. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its position in MKS Instruments by 196.9% during the third 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 in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 53.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. BOKF NA acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MKSI opened at $111.16 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 3.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. MKS Instruments has a fifty-two week low of $97.54 and a fifty-two week high of $147.40. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $109.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $113.93. The stock has a market cap of $7.48 billion, a PE ratio of 247.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.66.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The company had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $874.29 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that MKS Instruments will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 195.56%.

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.