MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Gap Down - Should You Sell?

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $111.20, but opened at $105.10. MKS Instruments shares last traded at $105.60, with a volume of 257,039 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MKSI has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target for the company. Finally, Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 0.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a current ratio of 3.42. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $110.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $110.19. The company has a market cap of $6.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 230.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66.

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

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.85%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is currently 195.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the business's 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,146,048.40. The trade was a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in MKS Instruments by 68.6% in 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 during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in MKS Instruments by 58.0% in the fourth 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 period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake 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 worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.