Expect Equity LLC Takes $3.42 Million Position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Expect Equity LLC acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 32,780 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $3,422,000. MKS Instruments comprises about 3.6% of Expect Equity LLC's holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,445,956 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $777,283,000 after buying an additional 97,392 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 1.2% during the 4th 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 purchasing an additional 35,256 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position 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 purchasing an additional 6,715 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted 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 buying an additional 6,964 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its position in MKS Instruments by 108.6% during 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 in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of MKSI traded up $10.70 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $90.75. The stock had a trading volume of 2,498,560 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,076,614. 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 company's fifty day simple moving average is $75.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $97.07. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $54.84 and a fifty-two week high of $147.40. The company has a market cap of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 32.41, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.80.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $936.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $913.59 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on MKSI. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price objective on MKS Instruments from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Benchmark decreased their price objective on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on MKS Instruments from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $135.17.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company's 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 sale, the director now owns 17,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,607,324.64. This represents a 1.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 60,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. This trade represents a 11.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.57% of the company's stock.

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.