Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) Shares Bought by UniSuper Management Pty Ltd

UniSuper Management Pty Ltd boosted its stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) by 103.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,849 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 3,482 shares during the quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd’s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $1,659,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of APD. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Roble Belko & Company Inc purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Sachetta LLC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Security National Bank purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Thompson Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.66% of the company’s stock.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of Air Products and Chemicals stock traded up $4.20 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $260.20. 2,825,322 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,766,194. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $264.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $249.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The company has a market cap of $57.85 billion, a PE ratio of 23.33, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.81. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a twelve month low of $212.24 and a twelve month high of $307.71.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $2.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.70 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $2.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.05 billion. Air Products and Chemicals had a return on equity of 16.56% and a net margin of 20.32%. The company’s revenue was down 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.74 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Air Products and Chemicals Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.72%. Air Products and Chemicals’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.90%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on APD shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $270.00 to $260.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. Citigroup increased their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $280.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Barclays increased their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $245.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Mizuho cut their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $295.00 to $286.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $294.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $289.29.

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.