271,217 Shares in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Bought by Raymond James Financial Inc.

Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 271,217 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $28,312,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.40% of MKS Instruments at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 68.6% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 263 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 58.0% during the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 424.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other 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 value 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $836,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,273,577.01. This trade represents a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.46% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MKSI traded up $6.98 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $69.84. 650,194 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,022,205. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $81.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $99.98. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.84 and a 1-year high of $147.40. The company has a quick ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 3.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The firm has a market cap of $4.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.81.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 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, sell-side analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Benchmark lowered their price objective on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MKS Instruments has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $140.08.

MKS Instruments 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.