MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.23 EPS

MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.23, Zacks reports. MKS Instruments had a net margin of 0.90% and a return on equity of 15.79%. MKS Instruments updated its Q1 2025 guidance to 1.130-1.670 EPS.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

MKS Instruments stock traded up $0.56 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $111.20. The company had a trading volume of 1,003,247 shares, compared to its average volume of 851,299. The company has a current ratio of 3.42, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. MKS Instruments has a 12-month low of $97.54 and a 12-month high of $147.40. The company’s fifty day moving average is $111.30 and its 200-day moving average is $110.54. The company has a market capitalization of $7.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 247.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.66.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. MKS Instruments’s dividend payout ratio is presently 195.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKSI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded shares of MKS Instruments from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a report on Monday, November 18th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of MKS Instruments from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $156.00 target price on shares of MKS Instruments in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.80, for a total transaction of $34,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,983 shares in the company, valued at $1,146,048.40. This trade represents a 2.92 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.41, for a total value of $31,187.75. Following the transaction, the director now owns 17,659 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,707.19. This trade represents a 1.53 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

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.