Portfolio Design Labs LLC Boosts Holdings in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Portfolio Design Labs LLC lifted its stake in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) by 147.6% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,501 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,279 shares during the period. Portfolio Design Labs LLC’s holdings in AptarGroup were worth $864,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of AptarGroup by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,977 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $317,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its position in AptarGroup by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 2,349 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its position in AptarGroup by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,315 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $531,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in AptarGroup by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 961 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $154,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its position in AptarGroup by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 16,683 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,621,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. 88.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AptarGroup Stock Down 0.6 %

ATR stock opened at $142.36 on Wednesday. AptarGroup, Inc. has a one year low of $134.57 and a one year high of $178.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.47 billion, a PE ratio of 25.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.62. The company has a fifty day moving average of $159.28 and a 200-day moving average of $159.06.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 15.62%. As a group, analysts expect that AptarGroup, Inc. will post 5.95 EPS for the current year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.49%.

Insider Activity at AptarGroup

In related news, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.83, for a total value of $162,752.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,848 shares in the company, valued at $1,324,977.84. This trade represents a 10.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on ATR shares. Raymond James reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $190.00 price objective (down from $200.00) on shares of AptarGroup in a research report on Monday. Bank of America downgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $173.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of AptarGroup from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Dbs Bank raised shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of AptarGroup from $185.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AptarGroup has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $181.60.

AptarGroup Company Profile

AptarGroup, Inc designs and manufactures a range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing, and active material science solutions and services for the pharmaceutical, beauty, personal care, home care, and food and beverage markets. The company operates through Aptar Pharma, Aptar Beauty, and Aptar Closures segments.