Mizuho Securities USA LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its holdings in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 46.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,070 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 6,654 shares during the quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $6,111,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 69.4% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 105 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Air Products and Chemicals from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $375.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Air Products and Chemicals from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $395.00 to $370.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 14th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $341.47.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Walter L. Nelson sold 589 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.50, for a total value of $181,706.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $221,811.50. This represents a 45.03 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Wilbur Mok sold 1,300 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.88, for a total transaction of $410,644.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,193 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,008,604.84. This trade represents a 28.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock worth $4,842,604 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of APD stock traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $295.40. 627,761 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,408,174. The firm has a market cap of $65.72 billion, a PE ratio of 17.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company's 50 day moving average is $312.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $308.91. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 1 year low of $227.53 and a 1 year high of $341.14.

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

Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be given a $1.79 dividend. This is a boost from Air Products and Chemicals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. Air Products and Chemicals's payout ratio is currently 41.58%.

Air Products and Chemicals 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.