MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Receives $141.09 Consensus Price Target from Brokerages

Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $141.09.

Several research firms recently weighed in on MKSI. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup cut 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 report on Monday, September 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Bank of America initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $160.00 price target on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 price objective for the company.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total transaction of $27,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,119,818.70. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, EVP John Edward Williams sold 1,800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.71, for a total value of $213,678.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 13 shares in the company, valued at $1,543.23. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 2,575 shares of company stock valued at $303,660. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of MKS Instruments

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MKSI. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its holdings 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 valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Key Financial Inc purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MKSI traded up $1.57 during trading on Friday, reaching $100.95. 908,788 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 821,164. The company has a current ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. MKS Instruments has a 52-week low of $63.44 and a 52-week high of $147.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 917.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.63. The business's fifty day moving average is $109.44 and its 200-day moving average is $119.94.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.51. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.25% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm had revenue of $887.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $866.38 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that MKS Instruments will post 5.61 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Monday, August 26th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 26th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 800.00%.

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.