21,919 Shares in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Purchased by Capstone Investment Advisors LLC

Capstone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 21,919 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $2,383,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MKSI. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its position in MKS Instruments by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,307 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,555,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 4.3% in the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 34,949 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $3,799,000 after acquiring an additional 1,440 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 174.7% during the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 75,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $8,153,000 after acquiring an additional 47,700 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the third quarter worth $291,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC boosted its position in MKS Instruments by 13.6% in the third quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 2,362 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $257,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

Shares of MKSI traded up $1.28 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $113.64. 757,513 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 825,316. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $80.84 and a 1 year high of $147.40. The company has a market cap of $7.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 249.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.63. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $107.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.14.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share 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 firm had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $874.29 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. The company's revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is currently 195.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKSI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $141.09.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction 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 represents a 1.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 2.37 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.