OCONNOR A Distinct Business Unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Makes New $3.96 Million Investment in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

OCONNOR A Distinct Business Unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 13,660 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $3,962,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Parvin Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $715,000. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 106.3% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 13,494 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,914,000 after acquiring an additional 6,952 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter worth about $7,269,000. Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.2% during the 4th quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,490 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,074,000 after purchasing an additional 4,916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 44.2% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 1,473 shares in the last quarter. 81.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Air Products and Chemicals

In related news, insider Kurt Lefevere sold 1,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $316.17, for a total transaction of $474,255.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,462 shares in the company, valued at approximately $462,240.54. This represents a 50.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Victoria Brifo sold 2,362 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.82, for a total transaction of $745,966.84. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 10,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,172,411.90. The trade was a 19.04% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 5,751 shares of company stock worth $1,812,572. 0.41% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $373.00 to $345.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $320.00 target price (down from $345.00) on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a research note on Friday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets cut Air Products and Chemicals from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Bank of America cut Air Products and Chemicals from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $330.00 to $282.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Air Products and Chemicals currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $330.38.

Air Products and Chemicals Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:APD opened at $275.81 on Tuesday. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $278.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $301.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.38 billion, a PE ratio of 16.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.88. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a twelve month low of $243.69 and a twelve month high of $341.14.

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 earnings per share 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 return on equity of 15.78% and a net margin of 31.88%. The company's revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.85 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current year.

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.

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