Stephens Inc. AR cut its stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 7.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 34,821 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 2,990 shares during the quarter. Stephens Inc. AR's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $10,099,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of APD. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 69.4% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 105 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC increased its stake 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 purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Newton One Investments LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 81.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, VP Sean D. Major sold 4,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.46, for a total value of $1,419,570.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 14,273 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,502,560.58. This trade represents a 23.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Melissa N. Schaeffer sold 3,233 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $307.32, for a total value of $993,565.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,680 shares in the company, valued at $3,282,177.60. This trade represents a 23.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,749 shares of company stock worth $3,030,032. Company insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts recently issued reports on APD shares. UBS Group increased their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $375.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Barclays raised Air Products and Chemicals from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $315.00 to $365.00 in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Redburn Atlantic raised Air Products and Chemicals from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $345.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $339.94.
View Our Latest Analysis on APD
Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 1.6 %
Shares of NYSE APD traded up $4.95 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $315.30. The company had a trading volume of 900,305 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,849,371. The firm's 50 day moving average is $308.56 and its 200-day moving average is $302.65. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 1-year low of $216.30 and a 1-year high of $341.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.
Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.13 by ($0.27). Air Products and Chemicals had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 15.78%. On average, analysts expect that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. This is a boost from Air Products and Chemicals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.11%.
About Air Products and Chemicals
(
Free Report)
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.
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