Norges Bank Invests $85.39 Million in MKS Inc. $MKSI

Norges Bank acquired a new stake in MKS Inc., purchasing 859,406 shares valued at approximately $85.39 million during the second quarter. This investment represents about 1.28% ownership of MKS. The stock is predominantly owned by institutional investors and hedge funds, with 99.79% ownership. Analysts have given MKS a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' with an average target price of $159.64. Recent insider trading includes sales by directors Jacqueline F. Moloney and Elizabeth Mora.

Norges Bank bought a new stake in MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 859,406 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $85,391,000. Norges Bank owned about 1.28% of MKS at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKSI. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of MKS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. Steph & Co. purchased a new position in MKS in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in MKS during the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Optimum Investment Advisors grew its stake in MKS by 25.0% during the second quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 625 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of MKS in the second quarter worth $64,000. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of MKS from $92.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen raised MKS from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, September 20th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $151.00 target price on shares of MKS in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $175.00 price target on MKS and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of MKS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $159.64.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on MKS

Insider Activity

In other MKS news, Director Jacqueline F. Moloney sold 300 shares of MKS stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.14, for a total value of $36,642.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.81, for a total transaction of $47,643.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 18,963 shares in the company, valued at $3,011,514.03. This trade represents a 1.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 5,600 shares of company stock worth $734,285. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

MKS Trading Down 0.0%

MKSI opened at $163.35 on Friday. MKS Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.84 and a 12-month high of $164.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.86 and a quick ratio of 1.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.97 billion, a PE ratio of 39.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.93. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $142.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $115.12.

MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.13. MKS had a net margin of 7.25% and a return on equity of 20.80%. The company 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 firm earned $1.72 EPS. The company'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, research analysts expect that MKS Inc. will post 6.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MKS Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. MKS's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.36%.

MKS Profile

(Free Report)

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.

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