Short Interest in AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) Increases By 25.0%

AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 756,500 shares, a growth of 25.0% from the February 13th total of 605,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 358,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days. Approximately 1.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

AptarGroup Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of ATR traded up $1.17 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $147.83. 225,203 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 289,470. AptarGroup has a 52 week low of $135.96 and a 52 week high of $178.03. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $151.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $159.04. The company has a market cap of $9.83 billion, a PE ratio of 26.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 0.95.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.24. AptarGroup had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 15.56%. On average, research analysts forecast that AptarGroup will post 5.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AptarGroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 5th. AptarGroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on AptarGroup from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 10th. Raymond James reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $190.00 target price (down from $200.00) on shares of AptarGroup in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of AptarGroup from $185.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 10th. StockNews.com cut shares of AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of AptarGroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $173.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Monday, January 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $181.60.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AptarGroup

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in AptarGroup during the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in AptarGroup by 312.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 342 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp bought a new position in shares of AptarGroup during the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,000. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in AptarGroup by 328.4% during the 4th 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. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in AptarGroup in the 4th quarter valued at $75,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.52% of the company’s stock.

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.