MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI) Downgraded to "Hold" Rating by Zacks Research

Key Points

• MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) has been downgraded by Zacks Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating.
• Various analysts have adjusted their price targets for MKS, with a consensus target of $119.80 and a majority rating it as a "Moderate Buy."
• The company reported earnings of $1.77 per share, exceeding expectations, with a revenue increase of 9.7% year-over-year, totaling $973 million.

MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on MKSI. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of MKS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price objective on shares of MKS from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of MKS in a report on Friday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of MKS from $100.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC decreased their price objective on shares of MKS from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $119.80.

MKS Stock Down 3.9%

MKSI traded down $4.18 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $103.34. 993,196 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,024,629. The stock has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.94. MKS has a twelve month low of $54.84 and a twelve month high of $125.33. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $101.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $89.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.99.

MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $973.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $931.05 million. MKS had a net margin of 7.11% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.53 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that MKS will post 6.94 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.10, for a total value of $27,630.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 11,862 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,092,490.20. This represents a 2.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP David Philip Henry sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $210,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,571 shares in the company, valued at $2,159,955. This trade represents a 8.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MKS

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Teacher Retirement System of Texas bought a new stake in MKS during the first quarter worth about $789,000. Artemis Investment Management LLP lifted its position in MKS by 2.2% during the first quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 251,799 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $20,182,000 after purchasing an additional 5,422 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp lifted its position in MKS by 15.5% during the first quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 18,884 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,513,000 after purchasing an additional 2,530 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in MKS by 16.2% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 110,765 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $8,878,000 after purchasing an additional 15,482 shares during the period. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in MKS by 33.7% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 11,973 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $960,000 after purchasing an additional 3,021 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About MKS

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.