JPMorgan Chase & Co. Lowers Stock Holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered its position in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 44.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 452,207 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 367,299 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned 0.67% of MKS Instruments worth $47,206,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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

MKS Instruments Stock Down 9.2 %

MKSI traded down $6.77 on Thursday, hitting $66.43. The company had a trading volume of 277,321 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,223,664. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a current ratio of 3.19 and a quick ratio of 2.04. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $54.84 and a 52-week high of $147.40. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $90.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $102.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.81.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. As a group, equities 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 was paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is 31.43%.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments 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 directly owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, 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. Insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Benchmark lowered their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, MKS Instruments currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.08.

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.