Franklin Resources Inc. Boosts Stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 43.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,502 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,191 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $3,497,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 68.6% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 263 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 58.0% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 424.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

Shares of MKSI traded down $0.88 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $62.81. The stock had a trading volume of 269,972 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,003,431. The company has a current ratio of 3.19, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The company has a market capitalization of $4.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.81. The company's 50-day moving average is $85.63 and its 200 day moving average is $101.21. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.84 and a 12-month high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is presently 31.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Benchmark decreased their price objective on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 price target 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 assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $140.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $836,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. This represents a 11.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 company's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total transaction of $25,426.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 17,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,607,324.64. This represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.

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.