MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" by the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $141.42.

MKSI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Mizuho raised shares of MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target for the company.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of MKSI traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $112.55. 578,315 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 820,003. MKS Instruments has a twelve month low of $90.90 and a twelve month high of $147.40. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $108.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $116.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 3.42 and a quick ratio of 2.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 250.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.65.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $874.29 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. MKS Instruments's quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. Analysts predict that MKS Instruments will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is currently 195.56%.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,659 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,002,707.19. The trade was a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total value of $27,225.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, 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. Insiders sold 825 shares of company stock valued at $92,853 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 196.9% in the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in MKS Instruments by 53.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc acquired a new position in MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. BOKF NA bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.