Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Has $4.07 Million Stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. reduced its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 16.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,050 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 2,715 shares during the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $4,067,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $919,721,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter worth $885,371,000. Capital International Investors bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at about $436,636,000. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC lifted its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 1,615.5% in the fourth quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 530,005 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $153,723,000 after buying an additional 499,110 shares during the period. Finally, Senator Investment Group LP bought a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter worth about $133,551,000. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Sean D. Major sold 4,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.46, for a total transaction of $1,419,570.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 14,273 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,502,560.58. This trade represents a 23.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Kurt Lefevere sold 1,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $316.17, for a total transaction of $474,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,462 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $462,240.54. The trade was a 50.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,842,604. 0.41% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 0.6 %

APD traded up $1.55 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $271.00. 1,145,901 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,481,012. The stock has a market cap of $60.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.74, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.89. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 1-year low of $228.81 and a 1-year high of $341.14. The stock's 50-day moving average is $286.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $304.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last announced 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on APD. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Air Products and Chemicals from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $375.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $370.00 to $335.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $373.00 to $345.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Air Products and Chemicals from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $332.18.

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.