Vise Technologies Inc. Boosts Stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Vise Technologies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 139.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,226 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,298 shares during the quarter. Vise Technologies Inc.'s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $646,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. WR Wealth Planners LLC grew its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 40.3% during the 4th quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 108 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Newton One Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 81.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Air Products and Chemicals Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE:APD traded up $2.73 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $275.90. 472,068 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,442,397. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.11. The business's 50-day moving average price is $272.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $297.77. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $243.69 and a 12 month high of $341.14.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The basic materials company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.83 by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.94 billion. Air Products and Chemicals had a return on equity of 15.78% and a net margin of 31.88%. Air Products and Chemicals's revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.85 earnings per share. Analysts predict 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. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be paid a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 1st. Air Products and Chemicals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Air Products and Chemicals

In related news, VP Walter L. Nelson sold 589 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.50, for a total value of $181,706.50. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 719 shares in the company, valued at $221,811.50. This represents a 45.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on APD shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $373.00 to $345.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Air Products and Chemicals to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a research note on Thursday. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $290.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $320.00 target price (down from $345.00) on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Air Products and Chemicals has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $331.00.

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.