Hudson Value Partners LLC Sells 19,102 Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Hudson Value Partners LLC cut its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 82.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,169 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 19,102 shares during the period. Hudson Value Partners LLC's holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $435,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in MKS Instruments by 58.0% during the 4th 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. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 424.1% in 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 period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the third quarter valued at $50,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the 3rd quarter valued at about $57,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 63.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 572 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $836,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. The trade was a 11.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total transaction of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,983 shares in the company, valued at $1,146,048.40. This represents a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 8,575 shares of company stock valued at $901,868 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MKSI shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Benchmark dropped their target price on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of MKSI stock traded down $4.76 on Friday, hitting $103.09. 925,884 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 878,302. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.94 billion, a PE ratio of 36.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.66. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a one year low of $97.54 and a one year high of $147.40. 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 firm's 50 day moving average is $110.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $110.07.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. Sell-side analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.85%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is currently 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.