KBC Group NV Has $10.13 Million Position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

KBC Group NV increased its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 4.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 34,914 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,436 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $10,127,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the third quarter worth $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 69.4% in the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 105 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.7% in the third quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 117 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 58.8% in the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 135 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the third quarter worth approximately $42,000. 81.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on APD. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $323.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 8th. Barclays upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $315.00 to $365.00 in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $308.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Air Products and Chemicals from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $350.00 price target for the company. in a report on Monday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Air Products and Chemicals has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $338.47.

Air Products and Chemicals Price Performance

Shares of NYSE APD traded up $6.85 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $334.16. 734,661 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,724,140. The company has a market cap of $74.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.49, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.52. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a twelve month low of $212.24 and a twelve month high of $337.00. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $310.09 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $298.21.

Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.14%. This is a positive change from Air Products and Chemicals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio is currently 41.21%.

Air Products and Chemicals Company Profile

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, equipment, and related services in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and internationally. The company produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and syngas; and specialty gases for customers in various industries, including refining, chemical, manufacturing, electronics, energy production, medical, food, and metals.