MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Sets New 52-Week Low – Should You Sell?

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) shares hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $89.20 and last traded at $91.03, with a volume of 77781 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $91.82.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MKSI shares. Citigroup upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, February 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.08.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $5.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.66. The company’s 50 day moving average is $108.08 and its 200-day moving average is $109.08. The company has a current ratio of 3.19, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. Equities analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.43%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the company’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 value of $34,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,146,048.40. This represents a 2.92 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.46, for a total value of $25,426.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,384 shares in the company, valued at $1,607,324.64. This trade represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 8,575 shares of company stock worth $896,107 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MKS Instruments by 277.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,165 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 856 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 22.5% in the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,718 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $295,000 after acquiring an additional 499 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in MKS Instruments by 13,537.3% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 10,228 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 10,153 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 59.3% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,853 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 1,807 shares during the period. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 7,816 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $849,000 after purchasing an additional 995 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Company Profile

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.