Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Acquires 37,958 Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 3,258.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,123 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after acquiring an additional 37,958 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.06% of MKS Instruments worth $4,148,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 18,700 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,952,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co. lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 32.0% in the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 6,645 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $694,000 after acquiring an additional 1,610 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 25.5% in the 4th quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 35,069 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $3,650,000 after acquiring an additional 7,136 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 2,601 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $272,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the period. Finally, Verity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter worth approximately $338,000. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total value of $34,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares in the company, valued at $1,146,048.40. This trade represents a 2.92 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. This represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 8,575 shares of company stock worth $901,868. Insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 4.4 %

MKSI traded down $4.76 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $103.09. The stock had a trading volume of 926,006 shares, compared to its average volume of 891,256. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $110.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $110.07. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52 week low of $97.54 and a 52 week high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 18.94% and a net margin of 5.30%. On average, equities analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is 31.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on MKSI shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Three research 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MKS Instruments has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.08.

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.