Originally published on Best Stocks Category: best stocks to buy nowJacqueline F. Moloney sold 225 shares of MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) on Monday, October 3. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.14 for a total transaction value of $18,931.50. Following the sale, the director owns 10,134 company shares, valued at $852,674.76. You can access a document that describes the sale and was submitted to the Securities & Exchange Commission by clicking on the provided link. Deposit $100 and get a $110 to trade stocks>>>>>>>>>>Open Account On Wednesday, July 27, MKS Instruments (NASDAQ: MKSI) announced its most recent earnings report. Manufacturers of technical and scientific instruments announced quarterly earnings per share of $2.59, $0.28 higher than the $2.31 median expectation. Contrary to analysts’ predictions of $733.55 million, the corporation’s sales for the quarter totaled $765.00 million. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 21.04% and a net margin of 18.44%. The company’s sales for the quarter increased by 2.0% compared to the same period last year. At the same point in the previous year, the corporation’s earnings per share were $3.02. Sell-side analysts think MKS Instruments, Inc. will earn $10.59 per share for the current fiscal year.The company also disclosed and distributed a quarterly dividend on Friday, September 9. On August 8, dividends of $0.22 per share were given to stockholders. This results in a $0.88 annual payout and a 0.99% dividend yield. The ex-dividend date for this dividend was Friday, August 5. As a result, MKS Instruments’ payout percentage is 8.84%. Tuesday saw a $3.32 increase in the price of MKS Instruments’ stock, bringing it to $88.89. Compared to the business’s typical daily volume of 593,793, 511,646 shares were traded. The stock has a $4.95 billion market value, an 8.92 price-to-earnings ratio, and a beta of 1.58. The 200-day moving average is $112.02, and the price of the company’s shares is $102.21. MKS Instruments, Inc.’s debt-to-equity ratio, quick ratio, and current ratio are each 0.26, 3.63, and 5.14, respectively. The company’s lows and highs from a year ago were $81.50 and $181.03, respectively. Recently, several analysts have written reports on the MKSI stock. In a report on Thursday, July 28, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price goal on shares of MKS Instruments from $242.00 to $230.00. In a report issued on Monday, September 19, Benchmark maintained its “buy” rating on shares of MKS Instruments while dropping their price target from $172.00 to $145.00. In a Friday, September 2, StockNews.com lowered shares of MKS Instruments from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating. On September 29, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $125.00 to $110.00. In research released on September 1, Wells Fargo & Company lowered its “equal weight” rating and price objective on the shares of MKS Instruments from $110.00 to $105.00. Three research analysts rated the stock as a “hold,” while six gave the company a “buy” rating. According to Bloomberg data, MKS Instruments has an average “Moderate buy” rating with a consensus target price of $155. Several institutional investors’ ownership shares have recently changed. First, fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in MKS Instruments during the first quarter by 56.3%. In that time frame, Fifth Third Bancorp purchased an additional 85 shares, bringing the total number of shares in the company’s scientific and technical equipment division to 236 for a $35,000 cost. Second, the State of Michigan Retirement System grew its stake in MKS Instruments by 0.7% during the second quarter. The State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 14,140 shares of the scientific and technical equipment business, valued at $1,451,000, after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the sale. Third, Securian Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in MKS Instruments by 2.0% during the second quarter. The stock of the manufacturer of scientific and technical instruments is now owned by Securian Asset Management Inc. in an additional 101 shares, for a total of 5,074 shares worth $521,000 in the company. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC grew its holding in MKS Instruments by 1.1% during the second quarter. After acquiring an additional 105 shares during the weekend, Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC now owns 9,316 shares of the $960,000 market cap company’s stock. Not to mention, Chiron Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in MKS Instruments by 2.4% during the first quarter. Chiron Investment Management LLC now owns 4,522 shares of the $680,000 market cap scientific and technological equipment company after acquiring an additional 107 shares. Institutional investors and hedge funds hold 96.01% of the company’s shares.