AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) Shares Sold by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lowered its position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 38.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,818 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 10,980 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets' holdings in AptarGroup were worth $2,854,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its position in shares of AptarGroup by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,977 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $317,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its stake in AptarGroup by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 2,349 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its position in AptarGroup by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,315 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $531,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,361 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $332,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Finally, Argent Trust Co grew its position in shares of AptarGroup by 6.1% during the second quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 1,685 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $237,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.52% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at AptarGroup

In related news, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.83, for a total value of $162,752.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,848 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,324,977.84. This represents a 10.94 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Gael Touya sold 3,300 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.62, for a total value of $500,346.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 32,165 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,876,857.30. The trade was a 9.30 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 35,639 shares of company stock worth $5,960,841 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

AptarGroup Stock Performance

NYSE:ATR traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $171.17. The stock had a trading volume of 209,219 shares, compared to its average volume of 287,854. AptarGroup, Inc. has a twelve month low of $122.29 and a twelve month high of $178.03. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $154.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.37, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.62.

AptarGroup declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, October 10th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the industrial products company to repurchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

AptarGroup Announces Dividend

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

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.