Algert Global LLC Purchases 21,200 Shares of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Algert Global LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 91.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,354 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 21,200 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC owned about 0.07% of AptarGroup worth $7,105,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Congress Asset Management Co. purchased a new stake in AptarGroup during the third quarter valued at approximately $108,239,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in AptarGroup by 111.0% during the second quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,075,168 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $151,394,000 after buying an additional 565,511 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 29.4% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,106,885 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $337,502,000 after purchasing an additional 479,193 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of AptarGroup by 182.1% during the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 538,830 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $86,315,000 after buying an additional 347,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in AptarGroup by 35.9% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 805,301 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $113,395,000 after acquiring an additional 212,886 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.52% of the company's stock.

AptarGroup Stock Performance

Shares of ATR stock traded up $1.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $171.51. The stock had a trading volume of 241,648 shares, compared to its average volume of 299,094. The firm has a market cap of $11.41 billion, a PE ratio of 34.44, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.57. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $164.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $153.01. AptarGroup, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $122.29 and a fifty-two week high of $178.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.15.

AptarGroup announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, October 10th that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the industrial products company to buy up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

AptarGroup Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 24th were issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 24th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. AptarGroup's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.14%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other AptarGroup news, insider Gael Touya sold 3,300 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.62, for a total transaction of $500,346.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 32,165 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,876,857.30. The trade was a 9.30 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.83, for a total transaction of $162,752.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,848 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,324,977.84. This trade represents a 10.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 38,299 shares of company stock valued at $6,363,040. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on ATR shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $215.00 in a report on Monday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on AptarGroup from $168.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Dbs Bank raised shares of AptarGroup from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on AptarGroup from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $195.00.

AptarGroup Company Profile

AptarGroup, Inc designs and manufactures a range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing, and active material science solutions and services for the pharmaceutical, beauty, personal care, home care, and food and beverage markets. The company operates through Aptar Pharma, Aptar Beauty, and Aptar Closures segments.