MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Stock Position Increased by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 26.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,311 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,846 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $2,626,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in MKS Instruments by 62.6% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 309 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 11.3% in the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 13,689 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,788,000 after acquiring an additional 1,390 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter valued at $23,171,000. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new position in MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth $392,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total transaction of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. The trade was a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total transaction of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,146,048.40. This trade represents a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 825 shares of company stock worth $92,853 in the last ninety days. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MKSI has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup cut MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, November 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho raised MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $141.00.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 0.6 %

NASDAQ MKSI traded down $0.63 on Thursday, reaching $106.90. The company had a trading volume of 375,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 818,752. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.19 billion, a PE ratio of 237.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $108.60 and a 200-day moving average of $115.70. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $95.71 and a 1 year high of $147.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 3.42 and a quick ratio of 2.21.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. The firm 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 firm's revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.82%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is presently 195.56%.

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.