AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) Stock Price Up 0.5% – Here’s Why

AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)’s share price rose 0.5% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $149.18 and last traded at $148.39. Approximately 62,527 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 366,222 shares. The stock had previously closed at $147.71.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on ATR shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on AptarGroup from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 10th. Bank of America lowered shares of AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $173.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on AptarGroup from $185.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Raymond James restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $190.00 price objective (down from $200.00) on shares of AptarGroup in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered 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 issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AptarGroup has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $181.60.

AptarGroup Trading Down 0.3 %

The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $153.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $159.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.59.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a return on equity of 15.56% and a net margin of 10.45%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AptarGroup, Inc. will post 5.57 earnings per share for the current year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

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 paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.49%.

Institutional Trading of AptarGroup

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

About AptarGroup

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.