Franklin Parlapiano Turner & Welch LLC Sells 1,037 Shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Franklin Parlapiano Turner & Welch LLC cut its stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 28,559 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 1,037 shares during the quarter. Air Products and Chemicals comprises about 2.2% of Franklin Parlapiano Turner & Welch LLC's holdings, making the stock its 15th largest position. Franklin Parlapiano Turner & Welch LLC's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $8,283,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 106.3% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 59.2% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 374,442 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $111,488,000 after acquiring an additional 139,223 shares during the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter worth about $7,269,000. Forsta AP Fonden increased its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 13.4% in the third quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 45,700 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $13,607,000 after purchasing an additional 5,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diversify Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.2% in the fourth quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,490 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,074,000 after purchasing an additional 4,916 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.66% of the company's stock.

Air Products and Chemicals Trading Up 2.2 %

Shares of Air Products and Chemicals stock traded up $7.20 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $334.51. 690,313 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,722,656. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $310.09 and a 200-day moving average of $298.21. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $212.24 and a 12 month high of $337.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.52. The company has a market cap of $74.39 billion, a PE ratio of 19.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.84.

Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. This is a boost from Air Products and Chemicals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. Air Products and Chemicals's payout ratio is presently 41.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on APD shares. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $345.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $323.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $295.00 to $364.00 in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Mizuho upped their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $308.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $338.47.

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.