MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $141.75.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Monday, November 18th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Citigroup upgraded MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed 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, Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and set a $156.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Wednesday, January 15th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the firm’s 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 transaction, the director now owns 9,983 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,146,048.40. This trade represents a 2.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 68.6% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 263 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its stake in 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 worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in MKS Instruments by 53.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 349 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

MKS Instruments stock opened at $109.38 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 243.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $111.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $110.69. MKS Instruments has a 52-week low of $97.54 and a 52-week high of $147.40. 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 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.