Crux Wealth Advisors Buys Shares of 4,464 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Crux Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,464 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $1,295,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 106.3% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 13,494 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,914,000 after buying an additional 6,952 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 59.2% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 374,442 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $111,488,000 after acquiring an additional 139,223 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at $7,269,000. Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.2% during the 4th quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,490 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,074,000 after purchasing an additional 4,916 shares in the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Air Products and Chemicals by 1,205.1% in the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,423 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $11,440,000 after purchasing an additional 35,479 shares in the last quarter. 81.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other Air Products and Chemicals news, VP Sean D. Major sold 4,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.46, for a total transaction of $1,419,570.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 14,273 shares in the company, valued at $4,502,560.58. The trade was a 23.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Walter L. Nelson sold 589 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.50, for a total value of $181,706.50. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $221,811.50. The trade was a 45.03 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,842,604 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on APD. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $370.00 to $335.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $355.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $332.18.

Air Products and Chemicals Price Performance

Air Products and Chemicals stock traded down $7.13 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $265.45. 1,305,256 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,492,009. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 1 year low of $227.53 and a 1 year high of $341.14. The company has a market capitalization of $59.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.42, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.89. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $296.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $307.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.13 by ($0.27). Air Products and Chemicals had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 15.78%. On average, analysts anticipate that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current year.

Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.70%. This is an increase from Air Products and Chemicals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.58%.

Air Products and Chemicals Company Profile

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, equipment, and related services in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and internationally. The company produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and syngas; and specialty gases for customers in various industries, including refining, chemical, manufacturing, electronics, energy production, medical, food, and metals.