Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT Takes Position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT bought a new position in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 1,924 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $302,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of ATR. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 3.6% in the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,977 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $317,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Commerce Bank raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in AptarGroup by 2.3% during the third quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,315 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $531,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of AptarGroup by 9.3% in the fourth 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 period. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management increased its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 0.6% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. 88.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AptarGroup Price Performance

Shares of AptarGroup stock opened at $157.74 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. AptarGroup, Inc. has a 12 month low of $128.05 and a 12 month high of $178.03. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $161.04 and a 200 day moving average of $158.90. The firm has a market cap of $10.50 billion, a PE ratio of 31.68, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.59.

AptarGroup announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, October 10th that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the industrial products company to purchase up to 4.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.14%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AptarGroup news, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of AptarGroup stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,848 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,324,977.84. This trade represents a 10.94 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $155.00 to $215.00 in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Bank of America lowered AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on AptarGroup from $185.00 to $180.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Raymond James initiated coverage on AptarGroup in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Finally, Dbs Bank upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AptarGroup currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $190.60.

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.