Analysts Set MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Target Price at $140.08

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research 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. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $140.08.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on MKSI. Benchmark decreased their target price on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley decreased 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. Citigroup upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target on the stock.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In other news, 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 value of $25,426.50. Following the transaction, the director now 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,273,577.01. This represents a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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Institutional Trading of MKS Instruments

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

MKS Instruments Stock Down 1.4 %

MKS Instruments stock traded down $1.24 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $90.21. 524,523 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 889,474. 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 business's 50 day moving average is $101.72 and its 200 day moving average is $106.04. MKS Instruments has a 52 week low of $76.37 and a 52 week high of $147.40. The company has a market capitalization of $6.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.22, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.75.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts predict that MKS Instruments will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is presently 31.43%.

About MKS Instruments

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.