AlphaQuest LLC Increases Stock Holdings in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

AlphaQuest LLC raised its holdings in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 180.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,868 shares of the industrial products company's stock after buying an additional 3,779 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in AptarGroup were worth $922,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AptarGroup during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 312.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 342 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 259 shares in the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new position in shares of AptarGroup in the 4th quarter valued at $67,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of AptarGroup by 328.4% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 437 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. 88.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AptarGroup Stock Performance

NYSE:ATR traded up $2.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $146.81. The stock had a trading volume of 223,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 290,792. The stock has a market cap of $9.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.50, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. AptarGroup, Inc. has a 12-month low of $135.96 and a 12-month high of $178.03. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $151.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $158.95.

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AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 15.56%. On average, equities analysts expect that AptarGroup, Inc. will post 5.57 EPS for the current year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 5th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup's dividend payout ratio is presently 32.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on ATR shares. Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $190.00 price objective (down previously from $200.00) on shares of AptarGroup in a research note on Monday, February 10th. StockNews.com lowered AptarGroup from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Bank of America downgraded AptarGroup from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of AptarGroup from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of AptarGroup from $185.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $181.60.

About AptarGroup

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.