Phocas Financial Corp. Buys Shares of 32,218 MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Phocas Financial Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 32,218 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $3,502,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew 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 valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in MKS Instruments by 53.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the second quarter worth $39,000. Finally, BOKF NA acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MKSI traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $108.24. The stock had a trading volume of 283,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 825,640. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.58 and a 52 week high of $147.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 237.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $106.86 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.76. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $896.00 million for 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 business's revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.81%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is presently 195.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKSI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup downgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $141.09.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction of $31,891.75. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,934 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,079,805.98. This trade represents a 1.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total value of $27,225.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 2.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.51% 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.