HF Advisory Group LLC Cuts Stake in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

HF Advisory Group LLC cut its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) by 13.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,412 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 364 shares during the period. HF Advisory Group LLC’s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $700,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the third quarter worth $25,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals by 88.7% during the 3rd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 117 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 58.8% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 135 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the third quarter worth $47,000. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Air Products and Chemicals Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:APD opened at $317.11 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The business’s 50 day moving average is $309.42 and its 200 day moving average is $294.10. The stock has a market cap of $70.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.84. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $212.24 and a 52-week high of $337.00.

Air Products and Chemicals Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a $1.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. Air Products and Chemicals’s payout ratio is currently 41.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on APD. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $330.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. UBS Group upgraded Air Products and Chemicals from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, November 18th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $345.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $308.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Air Products and Chemicals currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $332.71.

About Air Products and Chemicals

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.