Analysts Set MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Target Price at $141.75

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three research 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. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $141.75.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price 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. Citigroup raised shares of MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price target for the company.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

NASDAQ MKSI opened at $109.38 on Monday. 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 company has a 50-day simple moving average of $111.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $110.92. The firm has a market cap of $7.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 243.07, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.66. MKS Instruments has a 12-month low of $97.54 and a 12-month high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.27. The company 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%. MKS Instruments’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that MKS Instruments will post 6.34 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total transaction of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 17,659 shares of the company’s stock, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total transaction of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,983 shares in the company, valued at $1,146,048.40. This represents a 2.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised 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 valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 196.9% during the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of 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 period. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% 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.