Entropy Technologies LP Lowers Stock Position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Entropy Technologies LP cut its stake in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 49.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,317 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 3,185 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in AptarGroup were worth $521,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in AptarGroup by 3.6% in the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,977 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Commerce Bank lifted its holdings 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 buying an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in AptarGroup by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,315 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $531,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in AptarGroup by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 961 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $154,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management lifted its holdings in AptarGroup by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 16,683 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $2,621,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. 88.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

AptarGroup Stock Performance

Shares of ATR traded up $2.13 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $144.90. 512,842 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 299,160. The business's 50-day moving average price is $156.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $158.95. 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, Inc. has a twelve month low of $134.57 and a twelve month high of $178.03. The company has a market capitalization of $9.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.16, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.59.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a return on equity of 15.62% and a net margin of 10.45%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that AptarGroup, Inc. will post 5.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.49%.

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.