Inspire Investing LLC Has $1.24 Million Position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Inspire Investing LLC lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 211.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,900 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,079 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $1,242,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in MKS Instruments by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,659 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $217,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 2.2% in the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 5,035 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $547,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 1.3% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,729 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $949,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its position in MKS Instruments by 2.4% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,942 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $537,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the period. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in MKS Instruments by 53.7% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

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 transaction, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,002,707.19. The trade was a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total transaction of $34,440.00. Following the sale, 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 position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKSI has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Mizuho raised MKS Instruments to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and set a $156.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, November 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $141.75.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

MKS Instruments stock opened at $119.68 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $111.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $112.87. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a one year low of $97.54 and a one year high of $147.40. The company has a market capitalization of $8.05 billion, a PE ratio of 265.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.66. 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 quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. The company had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $874.29 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.74%. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is 195.56%.

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.