MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Receives Buy Rating from Benchmark

Benchmark restated their buy rating on shares of MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $142.00 price objective on the scientific and technical instruments company's stock.

MKSI has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Citigroup cut shares of MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on 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, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on MKS Instruments from $140.00 to $120.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $141.09.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

Shares of MKSI traded up $2.62 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $108.10. 1,024,800 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 827,601. MKS Instruments has a 12 month low of $75.58 and a 12 month high of $147.40. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The stock has a market cap of $7.28 billion, a PE ratio of 240.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.63. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $106.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $118.76.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last posted 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. The company had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. Equities analysts expect that MKS Instruments will post 6.22 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is 195.56%.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the business's 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 sale, the director now owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,119,818.70. The trade was a 2.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,079,805.98. This represents a 1.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of MKSI. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 196.9% in the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, BOKF NA bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

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.