Hantz Financial Services Inc. Grows Position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) by 689.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 64,541 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after purchasing an additional 56,365 shares during the quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in AptarGroup were worth $10,139,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ATR. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in AptarGroup by 446.5% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 235 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in AptarGroup by 312.0% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 342 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Park Place Capital Corp bought a new stake in shares of AptarGroup during the fourth quarter worth $67,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 79.6% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 598 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

AptarGroup Trading Up 0.1 %

ATR opened at $158.58 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market cap of $10.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.84, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.59. AptarGroup, Inc. has a 12 month low of $128.05 and a 12 month high of $178.03. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $162.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $158.47.

AptarGroup announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, October 10th that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the industrial products company to repurchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s payout ratio is 36.14%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.83, for a total transaction of $162,752.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,848 shares in the company, valued at $1,324,977.84. The trade was a 10.94 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on ATR. Dbs Bank raised shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Raymond James initiated coverage on shares of AptarGroup in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $155.00 to $215.00 in a report on Monday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on AptarGroup from $185.00 to $180.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on AptarGroup from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AptarGroup currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $190.60.

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.