AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) Stock Position Boosted by Aptus Capital Advisors LLC

Aptus Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) by 15.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 36,570 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after buying an additional 4,848 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC owned 0.05% of AptarGroup worth $5,858,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. grew its position in AptarGroup by 111.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,075,168 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $151,394,000 after buying an additional 565,511 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of AptarGroup by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 953,950 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $152,813,000 after purchasing an additional 17,975 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of AptarGroup by 35.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 805,301 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $113,395,000 after purchasing an additional 212,886 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of AptarGroup by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 716,617 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $100,917,000 after purchasing an additional 64,288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. bought a new position in shares of AptarGroup during the 3rd quarter valued at about $108,239,000. Institutional investors own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at AptarGroup

In related news, insider Xiangwei Gong sold 7,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.52, for a total transaction of $1,054,944.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,900,950.48. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other AptarGroup news, insider Xiangwei Gong sold 7,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.52, for a total transaction of $1,054,944.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,974 shares in the company, valued at $1,900,950.48. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephan B. Tanda sold 30,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.60, for a total transaction of $5,088,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 174,118 shares in the company, valued at $29,530,412.80. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 44,735 shares of company stock valued at $7,285,268 over the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

AptarGroup Price Performance

NYSE ATR opened at $175.67 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $161.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $151.52. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $11.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.57. AptarGroup, Inc. has a 52-week low of $122.29 and a 52-week high of $178.03.

AptarGroup declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, October 10th that permits the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the industrial products company to repurchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

AptarGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.14%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of AptarGroup from $168.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of AptarGroup from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $215.00 in a report on Monday, October 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $195.00.

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.