MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Sold by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lowered its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 12.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 368,441 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 50,453 shares during the quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned about 0.55% of MKS Instruments worth $40,053,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,659 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $217,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co. lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 2.2% in the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 5,035 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $547,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in MKS Instruments by 1.3% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,729 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $949,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in MKS Instruments by 2.4% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,942 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $537,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in MKS Instruments by 62.6% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 309 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MKS Instruments Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of MKS Instruments stock traded up $1.28 on Friday, reaching $113.64. 757,513 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 825,316. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $107.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $118.14. The company has a market cap of $7.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 249.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.63. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1-year low of $80.84 and a 1-year high of $147.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 3.42 and a quick ratio of 2.21.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued 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. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The firm had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $874.29 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 earnings per share. The company's revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.22 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is 195.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKSI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup downgraded 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. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Mizuho upgraded shares of MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.09.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the company's 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 completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,119,818.70. This represents a 2.37 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,079,805.98. This trade represents a 1.51 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.