Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) Holdings Boosted by Forum Financial Management LP

Forum Financial Management LP lifted its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 189.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,423 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 3,549 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $1,573,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, WR Wealth Planners LLC increased its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals by 40.3% in the 4th quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 108 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of APD stock traded up $4.05 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $277.22. 640,226 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,442,916. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.11. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a one year low of $243.69 and a one year high of $341.14. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $272.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $297.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.88.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The basic materials company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.14). Air Products and Chemicals had a return on equity of 15.78% and a net margin of 31.88%. The company had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.85 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Air Products and Chemicals Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.58%. Air Products and Chemicals's payout ratio is 104.07%.

Insider Transactions at Air Products and Chemicals

In other news, VP Walter L. Nelson sold 589 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.50, for a total transaction of $181,706.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 719 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $221,811.50. This trade represents a 45.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Thursday. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $290.00 price target for the company. UBS Group lowered their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $335.00 to $324.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Air Products and Chemicals from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $373.00 to $345.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $320.00 price target (down from $345.00) on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Friday, February 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Air Products and Chemicals currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $331.00.

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.