Mizuho Securities USA LLC Reduces Position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Mizuho Securities USA LLC reduced its stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 15.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,416 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 2,735 shares during the quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $4,292,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the second quarter worth $32,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.7% during the 3rd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 117 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 1,700.0% during the 2nd quarter. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC now owns 144 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the third quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 128.8% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 183 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

APD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays upped their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $295.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of 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. Vertical Research upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $336.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $280.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Air Products and Chemicals from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, September 23rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $331.53.

Air Products and Chemicals Price Performance

APD traded up $2.95 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $331.83. 2,189,995 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,617,082. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $310.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $282.67. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $212.24 and a 52-week high of $332.69. The company has a market capitalization of $73.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.31, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Air Products and Chemicals Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.