Proficio Capital Partners LLC Takes Position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 36,287 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $36,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC owned approximately 0.05% of MKS Instruments at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 4,317 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $470,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the third quarter worth about $468,000. MQS Management LLC acquired a new position in MKS Instruments in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $379,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in MKS Instruments by 14.9% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 2,326 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Markets Americas LLC increased its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 57.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 278,887 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $30,318,000 after acquiring an additional 101,439 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Needham & Company LLC lowered their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 14th. Benchmark dropped their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley decreased 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, February 14th. Citigroup raised MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.08.

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Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total transaction of $25,426.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,384 shares in the company, valued at $1,607,324.64. This trade represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $836,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,273,577.01. The trade was a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ MKSI opened at $81.24 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a PE ratio of 29.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $76.37 and a 52-week high of $147.40. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $105.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $107.58.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. On average, research analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.08%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is 31.43%.

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.

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