MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Down 3.8%

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) was down 3.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $115.82 and last traded at $115.94. Approximately 163,387 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 632,673 shares. The stock had previously closed at $120.48.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on MKSI shares. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $85.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 2nd. TheStreet upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a "d+" rating to a "c-" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $115.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $123.00.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

The stock's 50-day moving average is $124.67 and its 200 day moving average is $101.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 3.18 and a quick ratio of 2.01. The company has a market cap of $7.70 billion, a PE ratio of -4.17, a PEG ratio of 3.96 and a beta of 1.67.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $893.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $845.25 million. MKS Instruments had a negative net margin of 50.80% and a positive return on equity of 9.95%. MKS Instruments's revenue for the quarter was down 17.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.00 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.77%. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio is currently -3.19%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.00, for a total value of $33,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,862 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,242,646. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.00, for a total value of $33,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,862 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,242,646. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Seth H. Bagshaw sold 32,865 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.28, for a total transaction of $4,051,597.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $123.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 60,776 shares of company stock valued at $7,326,307. Insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MKSI. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the first quarter worth $25,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 73.5% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 295 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the first quarter worth $26,000. Mendota Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the second quarter worth $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

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.