MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Acquired by WCM Investment Management LLC

WCM Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 25.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,069 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,136 shares during the quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.05% of MKS Instruments worth $3,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in MKS Instruments by 53.7% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in MKS Instruments by 58.0% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 424.1% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 3rd quarter valued at about $57,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 6.6 %

NASDAQ:MKSI traded down $7.36 on Thursday, reaching $103.84. 1,796,682 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 884,003. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 3.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 230.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66. The business has a fifty day moving average of $110.99 and a 200-day moving average of $110.50. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $97.54 and a 52-week high of $147.40.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. As a group, analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.34 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MKSI has been the topic of several recent research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued 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 shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $145.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 16th. Needham & Company LLC restated a "buy" rating and issued a $156.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $143.00 to $128.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th. Four 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, MKS Instruments presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $141.75.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,002,707.19. This represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total value of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,146,048.40. This trade represents a 2.92 % 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.

About MKS Instruments

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.