Inspire Investing LLC Acquires 5,024 Shares of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR)

Inspire Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) by 282.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in AptarGroup by 446.5% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 235 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in AptarGroup by 312.0% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 342 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares in the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of AptarGroup in the fourth quarter worth $67,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 79.6% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 598 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James began coverage on shares of AptarGroup in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $215.00 in a report on Monday, October 14th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of AptarGroup from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of AptarGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $173.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $190.60.

Insider Transactions at AptarGroup

In other news, CEO Stephan B. Tanda sold 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 174,118 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $29,530,412.80. This represents a 14.70 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Kimberly Chainey sold 964 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.83, for a total transaction of $162,752.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,848 shares in the company, valued at $1,324,977.84. This trade represents a 10.94 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

AptarGroup Stock Up 0.4 %

ATR opened at $159.67 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.06, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $163.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $157.89. AptarGroup, Inc. has a twelve month low of $128.05 and a twelve month high of $178.03. 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 Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. AptarGroup’s payout ratio is 36.14%.

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

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.