MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Acquired by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 249,665 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 4,646 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned 0.37% of MKS Instruments worth $27,141,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MKSI. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 17.8% during the 3rd quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 509,883 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $55,429,000 after acquiring an additional 77,025 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in MKS Instruments by 14.0% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 418,894 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $54,699,000 after buying an additional 51,540 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in MKS Instruments by 4.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 372,394 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $48,629,000 after purchasing an additional 17,476 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 219.5% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 348,024 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $45,445,000 after purchasing an additional 239,099 shares during the period. Finally, Mizuho Markets Americas LLC raised its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 57.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 278,887 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $30,318,000 after purchasing an additional 101,439 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 0.0 %

NASDAQ:MKSI traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $108.33. 463,712 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 826,516. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $106.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.67. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $75.58 and a fifty-two week high of $147.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 240.84, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The business had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $874.29 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.81%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is 195.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction of $31,891.75. Following the sale, the director now owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. This trade represents a 1.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total transaction of $27,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 2.37 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on MKSI shares. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Mizuho raised MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $141.09.

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.