Aigen Investment Management LP Raises Stock Holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Aigen Investment Management LP boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 705.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,547 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,989 shares during the period. Aigen Investment Management LP's holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $1,364,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in MKS Instruments by 9.3% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 9,522 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,266,000 after buying an additional 807 shares during the period. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the first quarter valued at $918,000. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in MKS Instruments by 22.7% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 10,694 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,422,000 after buying an additional 1,980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its holdings in MKS Instruments by 5.1% during the first quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 620,063 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $82,468,000 after purchasing an additional 30,348 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total value of $27,225.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on 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 directly owns 17,934 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,079,805.98. The trade was 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. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MKSI traded down $1.26 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $112.91. 678,213 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 825,820. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 253.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.63. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $69.01 and a fifty-two week high of $147.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a current ratio of 3.42. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $106.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.08.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.27. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. The business had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $874.29 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 195.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MKSI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. 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 price target for the company. Needham & Company LLC increased their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $141.09.

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.