MKS Instruments’ (MKSI) Buy Rating Reaffirmed at Benchmark

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reissued by research analysts at Benchmark in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $142.00 price objective on the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock. Benchmark’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 33.10% from the company’s current price.

MKSI has been the topic of several other reports. Citigroup lowered MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on MKS Instruments from $140.00 to $120.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday, August 5th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MKS Instruments currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $141.09.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of MKSI stock traded up $1.21 on Monday, hitting $106.69. 75,924 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 823,242. 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 company has a market capitalization of $7.18 billion, a PE ratio of 237.09, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.63. MKS Instruments has a 1-year low of $75.58 and a 1-year high of $147.40. The company’s fifty day moving average is $106.81 and its 200 day moving average is $118.83.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $896.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $874.29 million. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 15.79% and a net margin of 0.90%. The business’s revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.46 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that MKS Instruments will post 6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at MKS Instruments

In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total value of $31,891.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,934 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,079,805.98. This represents a 1.51 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.90, for a total value of $27,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 10,283 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,119,818.70. This represents a 2.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MKSI. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake 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 worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake 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 worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Key Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, BOKF NA purchased a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. 99.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.