Inspire Investing LLC Boosts Stake in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Inspire Investing LLC raised its holdings in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) by 282.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,800 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,024 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in AptarGroup were worth $1,068,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new stake in AptarGroup in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $67,000. Howard Capital Management Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 133,200 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $20,926,000 after buying an additional 1,325 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup during the 4th quarter valued at $369,000. Albert D Mason Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AptarGroup by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 10,252 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,611,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in AptarGroup in the fourth quarter worth $858,000. Institutional investors own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at AptarGroup

In related news, CEO Stephan B. Tanda sold 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 28th. The stock was 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. This represents a 14.70 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,848 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,324,977.84. This represents a 10.94 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

AptarGroup Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE ATR opened at $159.67 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. AptarGroup, Inc. has a 52 week low of $128.05 and a 52 week high of $178.03. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $163.22 and its 200 day moving average is $157.89. The company has a market cap of $10.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.06, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.59.

AptarGroup declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, October 10th that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the industrial products company to purchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

AptarGroup Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders 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 yield of 1.13%. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.14%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

AptarGroup 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.