MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Acquired by William Blair Investment Management LLC

William Blair Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) by 1.0% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 897,047 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,796 shares during the quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC’s holdings in MKS Instruments were worth $79,496,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MKSI. Profund Advisors LLC increased its position in MKS Instruments by 3.2% in the first quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 4,114 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $365,000 after buying an additional 129 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in MKS Instruments by 0.7% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 514,153 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $45,564,000 after acquiring an additional 3,637 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 77.0% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,766,284 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $245,148,000 after acquiring an additional 1,203,696 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in MKS Instruments by 9.8% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 66,123 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $5,859,000 after buying an additional 5,902 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of MKS Instruments by 22.7% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 459,542 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $40,718,000 after purchasing an additional 85,080 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.25% of the company’s stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MKSI traded up $1.17 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $99.80. The stock had a trading volume of 27,581 shares, compared to its average volume of 632,635. The company has a current ratio of 3.27, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The company has a market capitalization of $6.67 billion, a PE ratio of -3.76 and a beta of 1.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $102.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $94.47. MKS Instruments, Inc. has a 1 year low of $64.77 and a 1 year high of $114.15.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $1 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $983.48 million. MKS Instruments had a negative net margin of 45.65% and a positive return on equity of 10.78%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 31.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.59 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that MKS Instruments, Inc. will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Instruments Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 28th will be given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 25th. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is -3.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Benchmark boosted their price target on MKS Instruments from $105.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a “hold” rating for the company. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $113.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, August 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on MKS Instruments from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $104.10.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Kathleen Flaherty Burke sold 11,563 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.23, for a total transaction of $1,170,522.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 42,738 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,326,367.74. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.49, for a total value of $27,122.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,612 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,910,725.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Kathleen Flaherty Burke sold 11,563 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.23, for a total value of $1,170,522.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 42,738 shares in the company, valued at $4,326,367.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 12,063 shares of company stock valued at $1,221,457. 0.69% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division, Photonics Solutions Division, and Material Solutions Division.