Polaris Capital Management LLC Sells 1,600 Shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI)

Polaris Capital Management LLC reduced its position in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 0.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 352,400 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 1,600 shares during the quarter. MKS Instruments comprises about 1.8% of Polaris Capital Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Polaris Capital Management LLC owned about 0.52% of MKS Instruments worth $36,787,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in shares of MKS Instruments by 53.7% in 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 in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in MKS Instruments by 58.0% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in MKS Instruments by 424.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 414 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in MKS Instruments in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in MKS Instruments in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $57,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MKS Instruments Trading Up 3.2 %

NASDAQ MKSI opened at $112.84 on Tuesday. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a one year low of $97.54 and a one year 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. The business’s fifty day moving average is $111.42 and its 200-day moving average is $110.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 250.76, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total value of $34,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total transaction of $31,187.75. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MKSI has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 16th. 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 objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on MKS Instruments from $143.00 to $128.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 10th. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, November 18th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $156.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $141.75.

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.