AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) was the target of a large decline in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 526,700 shares, a decline of 13.1% from the January 15th total of 606,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 305,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days.

Institutional Trading of AptarGroup

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AptarGroup during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 312.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 342 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the 4th quarter valued at $67,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 328.4% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 437 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

AptarGroup Stock Performance

NYSE:ATR traded up $2.24 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $147.03. 489,600 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 378,813. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.54, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.59. AptarGroup has a 52-week low of $135.96 and a 52-week high of $178.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $156.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $158.94.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 earnings per share 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, research analysts forecast that AptarGroup will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio is presently 32.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Raymond James restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $190.00 price target (down previously from $200.00) on shares of AptarGroup in a report on Monday, February 10th. Robert W. Baird cut 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, February 10th. 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 cut 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, February 10th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, 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.