Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Makes New Investment in MKS Inc. $MKSI

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 3,070 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $305,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new position in MKS during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Steph & Co. purchased a new position in MKS during the second quarter worth about $42,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in MKS in the 2nd quarter worth about $46,000. Optimum Investment Advisors grew its position in MKS by 25.0% in the 2nd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 625 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. purchased a new stake in MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $64,000. Institutional investors own 99.79% of the company’s stock.

MKS Trading Down 2.9%

MKSI stock opened at $148.79 on Thursday. MKS Inc. has a one year low of $54.84 and a one year high of $160.18. The company has a market capitalization of $9.99 billion, a PE ratio of 37.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 2.00. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $131.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $107.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.99.

MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.13. MKS had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 7.11%.The firm had revenue of $988.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $963.87 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.72 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. MKS has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.930-2.610 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that MKS Inc. will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MKS Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. MKS’s payout ratio is currently 21.36%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of MKS stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.14, for a total value of $36,642.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 11,562 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,412,182.68. The trade was a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP David Philip Henry sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $650,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 15,571 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,024,230. This represents a 24.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 5,600 shares of company stock valued at $716,597 over the last ninety days. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on MKSI shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $151.00 price objective on shares of MKS in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded MKS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, September 20th. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on MKS from $136.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Benchmark increased their price target on shares of MKS from $135.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Mizuho set a $175.00 price objective on shares of MKS in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $159.64.

MKS 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.