Great Lakes Advisors LLC Takes $5.08 Million Position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Great Lakes Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 49,338 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $5,075,000. Great Lakes Advisors LLC owned 0.07% of MKS Instruments as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mendota Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter worth about $56,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 928 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at about $138,000. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MKSI traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $128.25. The company's stock had a trading volume of 460,106 shares, compared to its average volume of 970,370. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $123.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $108.19. The company has a current ratio of 3.69, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The stock has a market cap of $8.60 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.81, a PEG ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 1.69. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 12-month low of $63.44 and a 12-month high of $135.51.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 8th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.43. MKS Instruments had a negative net margin of 48.24% and a positive return on equity of 13.90%. The company had revenue of $868.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.94 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 4.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 28th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 24th. MKS Instruments's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -3.30%.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, 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 value of $4,051,597.20. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $123.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Kathleen Flaherty Burke sold 7,411 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.89, for a total transaction of $910,737.79. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,999 shares in the company, valued at $5,284,147.11. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Seth H. Bagshaw sold 32,865 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.28, for a total value of $4,051,597.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1 shares in the company, valued at $123.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 40,776 shares of company stock worth $5,026,307. 0.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on MKSI shares. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $115.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on MKS Instruments from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Finally, Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $136.75.

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.