MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Acquired by Aquatic Capital Management LLC

Aquatic Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 40.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,283 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 6,683 shares during the quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC's holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $2,431,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,445,956 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $777,283,000 after purchasing an additional 97,392 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in MKS Instruments by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,088,283 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $322,386,000 after buying an additional 35,256 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 10.4% in the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,525,037 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $265,874,000 after buying an additional 237,979 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,291,478 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $239,207,000 after acquiring an additional 6,715 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in MKS Instruments by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,231,467 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $232,943,000 after purchasing an additional 6,964 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Up 2.1 %

MKS Instruments stock traded up $1.49 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $71.63. The stock had a trading volume of 1,288,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,048,657. The company has a current ratio of 3.19, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $77.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $98.26. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 12 month low of $54.84 and a 12 month high of $147.40. The stock has a market cap of $4.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.58, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.81.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released 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 net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. Research analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is currently 31.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.08.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total transaction of $25,426.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,607,324.64. This represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.57% of the stock is 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.