Van ECK Associates Corp Purchases 10,815 Shares of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR - Free Report) by 40.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 37,849 shares of the industrial products company's stock after buying an additional 10,815 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp owned approximately 0.06% of AptarGroup worth $6,345,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Congress Asset Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the third quarter valued at approximately $108,239,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. lifted its position in AptarGroup by 111.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,075,168 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $151,394,000 after buying an additional 565,511 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 182.1% during the 3rd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 538,830 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $86,315,000 after buying an additional 347,800 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 35.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 805,301 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $113,395,000 after acquiring an additional 212,886 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its position in shares of AptarGroup by 36.2% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 519,700 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $73,179,000 after acquiring an additional 138,134 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.52% of the company's stock.

AptarGroup Stock Performance

Shares of ATR stock traded up $2.38 during trading on Friday, reaching $177.09. 111,641 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 292,106. AptarGroup, Inc. has a twelve month low of $122.29 and a twelve month high of $177.84. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $160.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $150.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.78 billion, a PE ratio of 35.57, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.57.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th. AptarGroup's payout ratio is presently 36.14%.

AptarGroup declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, October 10th that permits the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the industrial products company to purchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on ATR. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on AptarGroup from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Dbs Bank raised AptarGroup from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $215.00 in a report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of AptarGroup from $168.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $195.00.

Insider Transactions at AptarGroup

In other news, CEO Stephan B. Tanda sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.60, for a total transaction of $5,088,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 174,118 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,530,412.80. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO Stephan B. Tanda sold 30,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.60, for a total transaction of $5,088,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 174,118 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $29,530,412.80. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Xiangwei Gong sold 7,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.52, for a total transaction of $1,054,944.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,974 shares in the company, valued at $1,900,950.48. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 46,657 shares of company stock worth $7,562,862. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.