MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Sold by SG Americas Securities LLC

SG Americas Securities LLC reduced its stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 45.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,880 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 2,415 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $313,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter valued at about $918,000. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 7.1% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 78,093 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $10,387,000 after acquiring an additional 5,184 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in MKS Instruments by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,892,941 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $709,077,000 after purchasing an additional 39,045 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 29.5% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 111,923 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $14,886,000 after purchasing an additional 25,520 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its stake in MKS Instruments by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 141,187 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $18,436,000 after buying an additional 10,000 shares during the period. 99.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MKS Instruments Price Performance

MKS Instruments stock opened at $102.70 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.85, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $111.01 and a 200-day moving average of $120.97. The company has a current ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $63.44 and a 1 year high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.51. The company had revenue of $887.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $866.38 million. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 0.25%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 5.6 EPS for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 26th were paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 26th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.86%. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is -3.30%.

Insider Transactions at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $30,865.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 10,533 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,300,404.18. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other MKS Instruments news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total value of $30,865.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,300,404.18. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP John Edward Williams sold 1,800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.71, for a total value of $213,678.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 13 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,543.23. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,575 shares of company stock worth $303,660 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup cut MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a report on Monday, September 16th. Mizuho upgraded shares of MKS Instruments to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on MKS Instruments in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They set a “neutral” rating and a $129.00 price target for the company. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. They set a “buy” rating and a $160.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $141.09.

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.