Retirement Systems of Alabama Has $14.56 Million Stock Holdings in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)

Retirement Systems of Alabama trimmed its position in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) by 0.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 48,890 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 149 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama’s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $14,557,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Synovus Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 85.1% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,514 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,939,000 after buying an additional 2,995 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its stake in Air Products and Chemicals by 286.7% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 21,299 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $6,342,000 after acquiring an additional 15,791 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Air Products and Chemicals by 1,205.1% during the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,423 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $11,440,000 after acquiring an additional 35,479 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 35.5% during the 3rd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 2,930 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $872,000 after acquiring an additional 768 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tudor Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,654,000. 81.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on APD shares. Evercore ISI upgraded Air Products and Chemicals from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $305.00 to $365.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Vertical Research upgraded shares of Air Products and Chemicals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $336.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, October 7th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $345.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $308.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $295.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $331.53.

Air Products and Chemicals Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE APD opened at $312.30 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $69.45 billion, a PE ratio of 18.18, a PEG ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.81. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $212.24 and a 12 month high of $337.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $320.55 and a 200-day moving average of $290.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Air Products and Chemicals Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.27%. Air Products and Chemicals’s dividend payout ratio is presently 41.21%.

Air Products and Chemicals Company 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.