Regents Gate Capital LLP Buys 12,674 Shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Regents Gate Capital LLP increased its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 142.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,559 shares of the basic materials company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,674 shares during the period. Air Products and Chemicals comprises about 2.7% of Regents Gate Capital LLP's portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Regents Gate Capital LLP's holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $6,358,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in APD. Mantle Ridge LP acquired a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,191,344,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at about $919,721,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 129.4% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,429,147 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,574,670,000 after buying an additional 3,062,157 shares during the period. Capital International Investors acquired a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $436,636,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 31,752.0% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,249,871 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $368,612,000 after buying an additional 1,245,947 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.66% of the company's stock.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:APD traded down $1.98 during trading on Friday, hitting $292.13. 1,042,263 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,360,899. The company has a market cap of $65.01 billion, a PE ratio of 42.46, a P/E/G ratio of 5.65 and a beta of 0.85. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $278.52 and a 200 day moving average of $290.29. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $243.69 and a 52-week high of $341.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The basic materials company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.14). Air Products and Chemicals had a return on equity of 15.48% and a net margin of 12.76%. The company had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.85 EPS. The company's revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current year.

Air Products and Chemicals Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.45%. Air Products and Chemicals's payout ratio is 104.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on APD. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. UBS Group upped their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $328.00 to $344.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Friday, June 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $355.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $290.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $310.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, June 30th. 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $332.12.

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.