First Trust Advisors LP Trims Stock Holdings in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

First Trust Advisors LP cut its position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 14.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 98,837 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 16,216 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.15% of AptarGroup worth $15,527,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in AptarGroup during the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Park Place Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of AptarGroup during the 4th quarter worth approximately $67,000. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in AptarGroup by 35.1% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 462 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in AptarGroup by 310.4% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 591 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $93,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the period. 88.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AptarGroup Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of ATR opened at $149.17 on Monday. The firm's fifty day moving average is $145.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $156.73. The stock has a market cap of $9.84 billion, a PE ratio of 26.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.59. 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 52-week low of $130.85 and a 52-week high of $178.03.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 15.56%. Research analysts forecast that AptarGroup, Inc. will post 5.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AptarGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, May 1st will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 1st. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.21%. AptarGroup's payout ratio is 32.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of AptarGroup from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Raymond James lowered their price target on AptarGroup from $190.00 to $175.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on AptarGroup from $185.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on AptarGroup from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of AptarGroup from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $173.00 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, January 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $178.60.

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.

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