MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Reaches New 1-Year Low – Here’s Why

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) reached a new 52-week low on Thursday . The company traded as low as $68.75 and last traded at $69.66, with a volume of 538032 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $81.28.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on MKSI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $156.00 to $145.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Trading Down 6.2 %

The stock has a market cap of $4.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $94.63 and its 200 day moving average is $104.25.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 18.94% and a net margin of 5.30%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.43%.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 60,017 shares in the company, valued at $6,273,577.01. This trade represents a 11.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total transaction of $25,426.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,384 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,607,324.64. This represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. ABLE Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,669,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 39,464 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $4,120,000 after purchasing an additional 15,184 shares during the period. GTS Securities LLC raised its position in MKS Instruments by 41.5% during the 4th quarter. GTS Securities LLC now owns 9,357 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $977,000 after purchasing an additional 2,745 shares in the last quarter. PharVision Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the 4th quarter worth $261,000. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 20.6% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 258,251 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $26,959,000 after buying an additional 44,106 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.