Private Advisor Group LLC Has $9.35 Million Holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Private Advisor Group LLC trimmed its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,245 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 308 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC’s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $9,352,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Financial Perspectives Inc raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 33.3% in the 4th quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc now owns 140 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Solutions LLC bought a new position in Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 9,868 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,862,000 after purchasing an additional 361 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at $69,000. Finally, Mcdonald Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 4,753 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,379,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE APD opened at $313.97 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $69.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.85. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $226.95 and a 52-week high of $341.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.11. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $308.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $304.26.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD) last released its 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%. Equities analysts forecast that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Air Products and Chemicals Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.28%. This is a boost from Air Products and Chemicals’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. Air Products and Chemicals’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.11%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on APD shares. Bank of America lowered Air Products and Chemicals from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $350.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $339.94.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Francesco Maione sold 2,016 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.00, for a total transaction of $616,896.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,834 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,173,204. This represents a 34.46 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Victoria Brifo sold 2,362 shares of Air Products and Chemicals stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.82, for a total transaction of $745,966.84. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 10,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,172,411.90. This trade represents a 19.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,411 shares of company stock valued at $4,186,642 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.41% of the company’s stock.

Air Products and Chemicals 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.