Morgan Stanley Lowers MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Price Target to $147.00

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) had its target price decreased by Morgan Stanley from $150.00 to $147.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. Morgan Stanley currently has an overweight rating on the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, November 18th. Citigroup raised MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of MKSI stock opened at $103.67 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 230.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66. MKS Instruments has a one year low of $97.54 and a one year high of $147.40. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $110.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $110.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 3.42 and a quick ratio of 2.21.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. Analysts predict that MKS Instruments will post 6.34 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. MKS Instruments’s payout ratio is 195.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total value of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,146,048.40. The trade was a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 68.6% during 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 buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 58.0% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 424.1% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.