Citigroup has recently raised MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI) stock to Buy rating, as announced on January 6, 2025, according to Finviz. Earlier, on December 13, 2024, JP Morgan had initiated the stock to Overweight, setting a price target of $145. Citigroup also reduced Neutral rating with a price target of $120. Additionally, Cantor Fitzgerald initiated Overweight rating on September 10, 2024, with a target price of $140. Goldman analysts, in their report published on September 3, 2024, also initiated Neutral rating for MKS Instruments Inc’s stock. Analyst ratings are significant because they provide insights into stock performance expectations, influencing investor decisions and market sentiment.
MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI) Stock Trading Recap
On Friday, MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI) stock saw a modest uptick, ending the day at $120.11 which represents a slight increase of $2.88 or 2.46% from the prior close of $117.23. The stock opened at $119.73 and touched a low of $117.38 during the day, reaching a high of $120.93. The volume of shares traded was 1.14 million exceeding the average volume of 0.79 million.
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MKSI Stock Performance and Moving Averages
In recent trading, MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI) stock price has shown some volatility, fluctuating 10.12% over the last five trades and 8.34% over the past 30 trades. This represents a notable shift from earlier in the year. Over the last six months, the stock has risen by -6.76%, and it has gained 16.07% in the previous three months. Currently, MKSI is trading at 10.21%, 8.26%, and 2.51% relative to its 20-Day, 50-Day, and 200-Day Simple Moving Averages, respectively.
As of the latest trading close, MKSI, a Technology sector stock, is trading -18.51% below its 52-week high but remains 23.14% above its 52-week low. The Average True Range (ATR) (14 days) of 4.07 highlights the stock’s average volatility, providing insight into how much the price typically fluctuates. This measure is crucial for understanding potential price swings and assessing overall market risk.
MKS Instruments Inc’s Profitability and Valuation Ratios
MKS Instruments Inc’s profitability metrics reveal financial health. The company currently boasts an operating margin of 13.57% and a profit margin of 0.90%, with a gross margin of -6.76%. The profit margin, also known as the revenue ratio or gross profit ratio, measures how efficiently a company converts sales into net income; higher margins indicate greater profitability.
In terms of valuation, MKS Instruments Inc’s market capitalization stands at $8.08 billion. Market cap represents the total value of all outstanding shares and is a key indicator of a company’s market value. The stock’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 258.86, assessing the company’s valuation relative to its earnings. The forward P/E ratio, which uses projected earnings for the next financial year, is 15.59. Additionally, the Price-to-Sales Ratio is 2.28, reflecting the market’s valuation of the company’s sales, while the Price-to-Book Ratio is 3.37, comparing the market value to the company’s book value.
Understanding Insider Trading
Investors often prefer to invest in shares held by company insiders, as management is typically more aligned with the company’s success and shareholder interests. Currently, insiders own just 0.56% of MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI)’s shares, while financial institutions hold 103.75%.
Notable insider trades include Williams John Edward, EVP & GM, PSD at MKS Instruments Inc (MKSI), who sold 1800 shares on Aug 16 ’24, at $118.71 each, totaling $0.21 million. On Mar 01 ’24, Burke Kathleen Flaherty, EVP, GC & Secretary, sold 7411 shares for $122.89 each, amounting to $0.91 million. Additionally, on Feb 22 ’24, BAGSHAW SETH H sold 32865 shares at $123.28 each, generating $4.05 million.
