Blue Grotto Capital LLC Sells 14,007 Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Blue Grotto Capital LLC lessened its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 14.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 85,994 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 14,007 shares during the period. MKS Instruments accounts for 1.6% of Blue Grotto Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Blue Grotto Capital LLC owned 0.13% of MKS Instruments worth $8,977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Prudential Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 772.7% during the fourth quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 61,447 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $6,481,000 after purchasing an additional 54,406 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,445,956 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $777,283,000 after buying an additional 97,392 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 8.6% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 25,145 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $2,625,000 after buying an additional 1,992 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,441,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in MKS Instruments by 32.1% during the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 151,025 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $15,766,000 after acquiring an additional 36,721 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 3.8 %

MKS Instruments stock traded down $3.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $81.59. The company's stock had a trading volume of 825,764 shares, compared to its average volume of 915,455. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 12 month low of $76.37 and a 12 month high of $147.40. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $99.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.49. The company has a market capitalization of $5.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.75.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share (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%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is presently 31.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Citigroup upgraded MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.08.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total transaction of $25,426.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,607,324.64. The trade was a 1.56 % 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 Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 60,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. This trade represents a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.