Benchmark Has Lowered Expectations for MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Stock Price

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by stock analysts at Benchmark from $142.00 to $135.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a "buy" rating on the scientific and technical instruments company's stock. Benchmark's price target indicates a potential upside of 28.00% from the stock's current price.

MKSI has been the subject of several other reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday. Needham & Company LLC lowered their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued 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 $140.08.

MKS Instruments Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of MKS Instruments stock traded up $1.80 on Friday, hitting $105.47. 952,094 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 887,235. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 3.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The firm's 50-day moving average is $110.45 and its 200 day moving average is $110.11. The stock has a market cap of $7.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 234.38, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66. MKS Instruments has a 52-week low of $97.54 and a 52-week high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. Equities analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments will post 6.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total transaction of $31,187.75. Following the sale, the director now directly 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the 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 owns 9,983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,146,048.40. This represents a 2.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of MKS Instruments

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in MKS Instruments by 68.6% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 263 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments in the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 58.0% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 424.1% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.