MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Sold by Fisher Asset Management LLC

Fisher Asset Management LLC lessened its holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 5.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 407,954 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 24,658 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned about 0.61% of MKS Instruments worth $42,586,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 277.0% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,165 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 856 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 22.5% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,718 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 499 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in MKS Instruments by 13,537.3% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 10,228 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,112,000 after acquiring an additional 10,153 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in MKS Instruments during the third quarter valued at $922,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 59.3% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,853 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 1,807 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on MKSI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target for the company. Benchmark reduced their target price on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup raised 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, January 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 3.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ MKSI traded down $3.28 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $82.78. 550,185 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 972,742. 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 has a market capitalization of $5.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.57, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.66. The company's 50-day moving average is $108.08 and its 200-day moving average is $109.08. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $82.11 and a 52-week high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share 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%. Analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.43%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total value of $25,426.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,607,324.64. This represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 60,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. This represents a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 8,575 shares of company stock worth $896,107. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

MKS Instruments 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.