MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Purchased by Verition Fund Management LLC

Verition Fund Management LLC grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 190.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 28,502 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 18,694 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC's holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $3,098,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 3rd quarter worth $2,383,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 4.5% in the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,307 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,555,000 after buying an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in MKS Instruments by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 34,949 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $3,799,000 after buying an additional 1,440 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in MKS Instruments by 174.7% in the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 75,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $8,153,000 after acquiring an additional 47,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Glenmede Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $291,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total value of $27,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. The trade was a 2.37 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,002,707.19. The trade was a 1.53 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 3.5 %

MKSI stock traded down $4.07 during trading on Thursday, hitting $112.76. The company had a trading volume of 355,771 shares, compared to its average volume of 821,096. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $81.04 and a 52-week high of $147.40. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $107.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 259.62, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 3.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $874.29 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.78%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is currently 195.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price 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. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $141.09.

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.