Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY) Sees Strong Trading Volume - What's Next?

Key Points

• Air Liquide’s trading volume surged 137% to 659,274 shares, while the stock was nearly unchanged at approximately $39.03.
• Analyst sentiment has improved, with Morgan Stanley and Zacks Research upgrading the stock and Mizuho raising it to “strong buy.” The consensus rating is Buy.
• Several institutional investors increased or initiated positions, although institutional ownership remains very low at 0.03% of outstanding shares.

Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY - Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday. 659,274 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 137% from the previous session's volume of 277,845 shares. The stock last traded at $39.0265 and had previously closed at $39.07.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AIQUY. Morgan Stanley upgraded Air Liquide from an "underweight" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Air Liquide in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Zacks Research upgraded Air Liquide from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Mizuho raised Air Liquide to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy".

Air Liquide Trading Down 0.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The business's 50 day moving average is $38.64 and its 200-day moving average is $40.08.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its position in Air Liquide by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 13,518 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Air Liquide by 22.8% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 13,484 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $519,000 after acquiring an additional 2,507 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Air Liquide during the 2nd quarter worth $1,402,000. Institutional investors own 0.03% of the company's stock.

About Air Liquide

Air Liquide is a global supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, along with related technologies and services. The company produces and distributes gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and helium for use in industries including manufacturing, chemicals, energy, electronics, food and beverages, and scientific research. Its offerings also include gas-management systems, equipment and process solutions designed to support customers' production and safety requirements.

Through its healthcare activities, Air Liquide supplies medical gases, respiratory-care products and services to hospitals, healthcare professionals and patients receiving care at home.

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