MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the twelve ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $141.09.
A number of brokerages have issued reports on MKSI. Citigroup cut shares of MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a report on Monday, September 16th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on MKS Instruments from $153.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 price objective on the stock.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MKS Instruments
In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the 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 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction 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. The trade was a 1.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.
Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 108.6% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,019,134 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $110,789,000 after buying an additional 530,620 shares during the last quarter. Shellback Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,541,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 219.5% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 348,024 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $45,445,000 after purchasing an additional 239,099 shares during the last quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments in the third quarter worth $21,690,000. Finally, Mizuho Markets Americas LLC bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the second quarter worth about $23,171,000. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
NASDAQ MKSI opened at $108.38 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 240.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.63. 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 business's 50-day moving average price is $106.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.67. MKS Instruments has a 52-week low of $75.58 and a 52-week high of $147.40.
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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. The business 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 revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that MKS Instruments will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current year.
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 $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 payout ratio is currently 195.56%.
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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