Insider Trading February 23, 2026

MKS Instruments EVP Disposes $523K in Stock as Shares Trade Near Yearly High

Executive sale follows quarterly beat and upbeat guidance while valuation metrics flag the stock as overvalued

By Avery Klein MKSI
MKS Instruments EVP Disposes $523K in Stock as Shares Trade Near Yearly High
MKSI

Henry David Philip, Executive Vice President of MKS Instruments Inc. (MKSI), sold 2,000 shares on February 20, 2026, generating proceeds of $523,120. The transaction was disclosed on a Form 4 filed with the SEC. The sale occurred as MKSI shares traded near a 52-week peak after a strong 12-month gain; independent valuation analysis cited in filings places the stock among the most overvalued. The company recently reported quarterly results that topped estimates and issued first-quarter revenue guidance that exceeded expectations.

Key Points

  • Insider sale: Henry David Philip sold 2,000 MKS Instruments shares on Feb. 20, 2026, for $261.5601 per share, totaling $523,120; he now directly owns 18,841.368 shares.
  • Earnings and guidance: MKS Instruments beat fourth-quarter consensus on adjusted EPS ($2.47 vs. $2.46) and revenue ($1.033B vs. $1.022B), with revenue up 10.5% year-over-year and first-quarter revenue guidance above expectations; strength cited in Electronics & Packaging and higher shipments in the Semi division.
  • Valuation and market reaction: Despite analyst upward revisions and raised price targets from Needham and maintained Overweight from KeyBanc, independent InvestingPro analysis lists MKSI among the Most Overvalued names and shares fell in after-hours trading.

Henry David Philip, who serves as Executive Vice President at MKS Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), completed a sale of 2,000 common shares on February 20, 2026, a transaction that was recorded on a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The shares were disposed of at $261.5601 apiece, producing total proceeds of $523,120. After the disposition, Philip directly holds 18,841.368 shares of MKS Instruments stock.

This insider transaction took place while MKSI was trading close to its 52-week high of $269.91, following a notable 154% appreciation over the prior year. Independent analysis cited in related research classifies the stock as overvalued relative to its Fair Value and lists the company among those on the Most Overvalued roster. The same analysis also notes that 11 analysts have lifted their earnings estimates for the forthcoming period - a detail highlighted among InvestingPro Tips for deeper review in the Pro Research Report.

MKS Instruments recently reported fourth-quarter results that exceeded consensus estimates. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $2.47, narrowly beating the $2.46 consensus. Revenue for the quarter reached $1.033 billion, above the $1.022 billion forecast, representing a 10.5% increase from the same quarter a year earlier. Management provided first-quarter revenue guidance that also surpassed expectations, calling out specific strength in its Electronics & Packaging segment alongside higher shipments in its Semi division.

Brokerage reactions to the quarterly report included Needham raising its price target to $300 from $260 while maintaining a Buy rating. KeyBanc reiterated an Overweight rating and kept a $250 price target, signaling continued favorable views from those firms. Despite the earnings beat, revenue growth and raised price targets, MKS Instruments shares moved lower in after-hours trading following the release.

The Form 4 filing documenting Philip's sale is the formal record of the insider transaction with the SEC. The combination of an insider sale, a strong 12-month share-price appreciation, independent valuation concerns, and mixed market reception to the earnings release provides a snapshot of the current investor environment around MKSI.


Clear summary

Henry David Philip sold 2,000 MKS Instruments shares on February 20, 2026, for $261.5601 each, netting $523,120 and leaving him with 18,841.368 shares. The transaction was reported via Form 4. The sale coincides with MKSI trading near its 52-week high after a 154% year-over-year gain; third-party analysis labels the stock overvalued, even as quarterly results and guidance topped expectations.

Risks

  • Valuation risk - Independent analysis cited in related research considers MKSI overvalued relative to its Fair Value, placing it on a Most Overvalued list, which could pressure investor sentiment across equity markets.
  • Short-term market reaction - Even after reported beats on EPS and revenue and above-guidance for the next quarter, MKSI shares declined in after-hours trading, indicating potential volatility in reaction to quarterly news.
  • Concentration in cyclical end markets - The company’s performance notes reliance on Electronics & Packaging strength and higher Semi shipments; fluctuations in those sectors could influence revenue expectations and investor outlook.

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