MKS Instruments, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.22 (NASDAQ:MKSI)

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, February 10th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a dividend of 0.22 per share by the scientific and technical instruments company on Friday, March 7th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th.

MKS Instruments has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.8% per year over the last three years. MKS Instruments has a payout ratio of 10.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect MKS Instruments to earn $8.61 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.88 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 10.2%.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

MKSI stock opened at $103.09 on Friday. MKS Instruments has a one year low of $97.54 and a one year high of $147.40. The firm has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.82, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $110.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $110.05.

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.23. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 18.94%. On average, equities analysts forecast that MKS Instruments will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on MKSI shares. Benchmark dropped their target price on MKS Instruments from $142.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on MKS Instruments from $128.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price objective on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.08.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related 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 sale, the director now directly owns 9,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerard G. Colella sold 8,000 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $836,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 60,017 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,273,577.01. This represents a 11.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,575 shares of company stock valued at $901,868. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.