GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC Grows Position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) by 17.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 560 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 83 shares during the quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC’s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $145,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in APD. Roble Belko & Company Inc purchased a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sachetta LLC purchased a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Security National Bank bought a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in Air Products and Chemicals during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Thompson Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Air Products and Chemicals in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. 81.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Air Products and Chemicals Price Performance

Shares of NYSE APD traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $276.50. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 706,631 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,730,082. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.31. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 52 week low of $212.24 and a 52 week high of $307.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $267.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $250.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.47 billion, a PE ratio of 24.95, a P/E/G ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.81.

Air Products and Chemicals Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 1st. Air Products and Chemicals’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on APD shares. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $280.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. StockNews.com downgraded Air Products and Chemicals from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Monday. Mizuho lowered their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $295.00 to $286.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. UBS Group upped their price target on Air Products and Chemicals from $257.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on Air Products and Chemicals from $275.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $296.53.

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.