KBC Group NV Decreases Holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

KBC Group NV lowered its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 45.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,056 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 15,858 shares during the period. KBC Group NV's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $5,620,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at about $44,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 525.9% in the fourth quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 169 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter worth about $50,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Institutional investors own 81.66% of the company's stock.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Performance

Air Products and Chemicals stock traded up $1.54 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $291.84. 682,381 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,372,195. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.95 billion, a PE ratio of 42.42, a P/E/G ratio of 5.60 and a beta of 0.85. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a one year low of $243.69 and a one year high of $341.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $276.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $290.34.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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). The business had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.94 billion. Air Products and Chemicals had a net margin of 12.76% and a return on equity of 15.48%. Air Products and Chemicals's revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.85 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Air Products and Chemicals Dividend Announcement

The firm 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.45%. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $335.00 to $324.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Barclays reduced their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $355.00 to $325.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Bank of America lowered Air Products and Chemicals from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $330.00 to $282.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Air Products and Chemicals in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $290.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $310.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $330.94.

Air Products and Chemicals Company 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.