Concentric Capital Strategies LP Invests $8.88 Million in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Concentric Capital Strategies LP bought a new stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 85,033 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $8,877,000. Concentric Capital Strategies LP owned approximately 0.13% of MKS Instruments at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its position 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 worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC bought a new stake in MKS Instruments during the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in MKS Instruments by 58.0% in the 4th 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. lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 424.1% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of MKSI opened at $72.73 on Wednesday. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.84 and a 1 year high of $147.40. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $76.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $97.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.91 billion, a PE ratio of 25.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.80.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is currently 31.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on MKSI. Benchmark dropped their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price objective on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $140.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the company's 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 60,017 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,273,577.01. This represents a 11.76 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total value of $25,426.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 17,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,607,324.64. This trade represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is owned by 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.

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