MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Sold by Bank of America Corp DE

Bank of America Corp DE cut its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) by 19.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 707,060 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 169,630 shares during the quarter. Bank of America Corp DE owned 1.05% of MKS Instruments worth $73,810,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MKSI. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 108.6% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,019,134 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $110,789,000 after buying an additional 530,620 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 26.2% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 23,311 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $2,626,000 after acquiring an additional 4,846 shares during the period. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter worth approximately $295,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 3,444.0% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 300,711 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $31,391,000 after purchasing an additional 292,226 shares during the period. Finally, Artemis Investment Management LLP increased its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 23.5% during the 4th quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 246,377 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $25,719,000 after purchasing an additional 46,859 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 $1,607,324.64. This trade represents a 1.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $836,240.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 60,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. The trade was a 11.76% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

Shares of MKS Instruments stock traded down $0.53 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $90.66. 655,747 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,053,629. The business has a fifty day moving average of $76.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.95. The company has a market capitalization of $6.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a quick ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 3.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.84 and a 1 year high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.29. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. The company had revenue of $936.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $913.59 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. MKS Instruments's revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 27th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised 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. Benchmark cut their price target on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on MKS Instruments from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $135.17.

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.