Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) Shares Purchased by Voya Investment Management LLC

Voya Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD - Free Report) by 710.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 440,034 shares of the basic materials company's stock after acquiring an additional 385,739 shares during the quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.20% of Air Products and Chemicals worth $127,627,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of APD. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $919,721,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the fourth quarter worth $885,371,000. Capital International Investors acquired a new stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at $436,636,000. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 1,615.5% in the 4th quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 530,005 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $153,723,000 after buying an additional 499,110 shares during the period. Finally, Senator Investment Group LP acquired a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth about $133,551,000. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Performance

Shares of Air Products and Chemicals stock traded down $0.80 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $270.13. 525,489 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,477,516. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.69, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.89. The business has a 50-day moving average of $285.90 and a 200-day moving average of $304.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 1 year low of $228.81 and a 1 year high of $341.14.

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.13 by ($0.27). Air Products and Chemicals had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 15.78%. As a group, analysts expect that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

APD has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $320.00 price target (down previously from $345.00) on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a research report 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. Bank of America lowered shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $330.00 to $282.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. StockNews.com cut shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $365.00 to $355.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $332.18.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Air Products and Chemicals news, insider Francesco Maione sold 2,016 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.00, for a total value of $616,896.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,173,204. This represents a 34.46 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Sean D. Major sold 4,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.46, for a total transaction of $1,419,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 14,273 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,502,560.58. This represents a 23.97 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock worth $4,842,604. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

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.