17,009 Shares in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Acquired by Weiss Asset Management LP

Weiss Asset Management LP purchased a new position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 17,009 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $1,849,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. 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 during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in MKS Instruments by 53.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Key Financial Inc acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. BOKF NA purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were 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 owns 17,659 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total transaction of $27,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 10,283 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,119,818.70. This trade represents a 2.37 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on MKSI shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Mizuho raised shares of MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Citigroup cut shares of MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, November 18th. Five equities 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, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.09.

MKS Instruments Trading Up 1.1 %

MKSI stock traded up $1.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $114.60. 509,162 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 776,011. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1-year low of $81.04 and a 1-year high of $147.40. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.71 billion, a PE ratio of 254.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.65. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $107.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $117.57.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $874.29 million. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.77%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 195.56%.

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.