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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):		February 4, 2009

MKS Instruments, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts	000-23621	04-2277512
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
2 Tech Drive, Suite 201, Andover, Massachusetts		01810
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:		978-645-5500

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 4, 2009, MKS Instruments, Inc. announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. The full text of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 of the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated February 4, 2009.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		MKS Instruments, Inc.
February 4, 2009		By:		/s/ Ronald C. Weigner
				Name: Ronald C. Weigner
				Title: VP & CFO

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated February 4, 2009

(MKS LOGO)

EXHIBIT 99.1

Contact: Ronald C. Weigner
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: 978.645.5500

MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and
Full Year 2008 Financial Results

Andover, Mass., February 4, 2009 — MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today reported fourth quarter and full year 2008 financial results.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Fourth quarter results slightly exceeded revised guidance issued December 23, 2008.

Sales were $125.2 million, down 21 percent from $157.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 and down 32 percent from $184.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Fourth quarter net loss was $6.3 million, or $0.13 per basic share, compared to net income of $6.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008 and $15.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007. The fourth quarter net loss included special charges of $6.3 million net related to impairment of intangible assets, excess and obsolete inventory, amortization of acquired intangibles, and discrete tax items.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude special charges, were $0.1 million, or breakeven, compared to $8.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008 and $18.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Full Year Results

Net sales were $647.0 million, down 17 percent compared to $780.5 million in 2007. Net income was $30.1 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to $86.4 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, in 2007. Non-GAAP net earnings were $41.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to $95.6 million, or $1.67 per diluted share in 2007.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “We saw a sharp drop in sales to OEMs as spending for semiconductor capital equipment declined rapidly in the fourth quarter, and we continued to take actions to reduce our costs.

“In a challenging year for semiconductor capital equipment, we achieved another year of growth in non-semiconductor markets. We continued to focus on key markets such as solar, where we had record sales in 2008. We also achieved record sales in our service business. Our cash position remained strong.

“As we enter 2009, global economic uncertainty is prolonging a steep downturn in semiconductor capital equipment spending, and there is greater uncertainty about the business outlook in non-semiconductor markets as well. We estimate that first quarter sales could range from $75 to $95 million. At these volumes, the net loss could range from $0.46 to $0.31 per basic share on approximately 49.8 million shares outstanding, and the non-GAAP net loss could range from $0.40 to $0.25 per share. We are working to drive down our costs to align more closely with expected lower business levels, while continuing to focus on diversifying our business.”

Management will discuss fourth quarter financial results on a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Dial-in numbers are 1-800-218-8862 for domestic callers and 303-262-2131 for international callers. The call will be broadcast live and available for replay at www.mksinstruments.com. To hear a telephone replay through February 11, 2009, dial 303-590-3000, pass code 11124860#.

The financial results that exclude certain charges and special items are not in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). MKS’ management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude costs associated with acquisitions and special items, is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, electrostatic charge management, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. We also leverage our technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and energy generation and environmental monitoring.

This release contains projections or other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act regarding MKS’ future growth and the future financial performance of MKS. These projections or statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements are the fluctuations in capital spending in the semiconductor industry, fluctuations in net sales to MKS’ major customers, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, the challenges, risks and costs involved with integrating the operations of MKS and any acquired companies, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, manufacturing and sourcing risks, volatility of stock price, international operations, financial risk management, and future growth subject to risks. Readers are referred to MKS’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning MKS and its operations. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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1

MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

Note 1: The three month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a $6,069 write-down for the impairment of intangible assets resulting from a lower forecast for a product for the semiconductor industry.

Note 2: Cost of Sales for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 includes $5,000 of excessive E&O inventory charges.

Note 3: The three month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a benefit of $1,823 attributable to a discrete tax matter related to the reinstatement of the U.S. research and development tax credits and other adjustments. The three month period ended September 30, 2008 includes a net tax expense for discrete items of $819 attributable to the booking of a valuation allowance on state tax credits of $2,651 partially offset by a benefit of $1,832 for discrete items related to the reversal of FIN 48 reserve items as a result of a statute of limitations expiration.

Note 4: The Non-GAAP net earnings and Non-GAAP net earnings per share amounts exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition and disposition related charges and special items, net of applicable income taxes.

2

MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

Note 1: The twelve month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a $6,069 write-down for the impairment of intangible assets resulting from a lower forecast for a product for the semiconductor industry.

Note 2: Cost of Sales for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2008 includes $5,000 of excessive E&O inventory charges.

Note 3: Selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a foreign exchange gain of $2,669 related to the Company’s legal entity restructuring of certain foreign operations.

Note 4: The twelve month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a net tax expense for discrete items of $400 attributable to the booking of a valuation allowance on tax attributes of $3,467 partially offset by a benefit of $3,067 for discrete items mainly related to the reversal of FIN 48 reserve items as a result of a statute of limitations expiration. The twelve month period ended December 31, 2007 includes a benefit of $1,847 attributable to a discrete tax matter related to our research and development tax credits.

Note 5: The Non-GAAP net earnings and Non-GAAP net earnings per share amounts exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition and disposition related charges and special items, net of applicable income taxes.

3

MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands)

4