Stonegate Investment Group LLC Raises Stake in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Stonegate Investment Group LLC lifted its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 16.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. Stonegate Investment Group LLC’s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $252,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Aigen Investment Management LP boosted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 705.3% in the 3rd quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP now owns 12,547 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,364,000 after buying an additional 10,989 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the second quarter worth about $1,599,000. Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 7.3% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 444,333 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $48,303,000 after purchasing an additional 30,216 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 10.4% during the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,525,037 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $265,874,000 after purchasing an additional 237,979 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in MKS Instruments by 3,444.0% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 300,711 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $31,391,000 after purchasing an additional 292,226 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of MKSI opened at $107.34 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 3.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The business has a fifty day moving average of $111.80 and a 200 day moving average of $111.89. The company has a market cap of $7.22 billion, a PE ratio of 238.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.66. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 52-week low of $97.54 and a 52-week high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $874.29 million. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The business’s revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.46 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.34 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.82%. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is 195.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on MKSI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $156.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $143.00 to $128.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.75.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

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