MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Acquired by Fulton Bank N.A.

Fulton Bank N.A. raised its stake in shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,487 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 597 shares during the period. Fulton Bank N.A.’s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $455,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MKSI. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in MKS Instruments by 354.5% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 600 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 468 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in MKS Instruments by 56.4% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 635 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in MKS Instruments in the 2nd quarter valued at $200,000. American Trust acquired a new position in shares of MKS Instruments during the first quarter worth about $201,000. Finally, Verity Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 6.3% in the first quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,085 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Down 2.0 %

NASDAQ:MKSI traded down $2.16 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $104.26. 524,297 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 810,771. The firm has a market cap of $6.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.10, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.65. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $129.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $124.74. The company has a current ratio of 3.69, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $63.44 and a fifty-two week high of $147.40.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 8th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.43. MKS Instruments had a positive return on equity of 13.90% and a negative net margin of 48.24%. The firm had revenue of $868.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $848.94 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.48 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current year.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 26th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. MKS Instruments’s payout ratio is -3.30%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.41, for a total value of $35,587.75. Following the sale, the director now owns 18,209 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,356,426.69. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other MKS Instruments news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.41, for a total transaction of $35,587.75. Following the sale, the director now owns 18,209 shares in the company, valued at $2,356,426.69. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $30,865.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,533 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,300,404.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on MKSI. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Monday. They set an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on MKS Instruments from $145.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $148.75.

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.