Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY) Sees Large Volume Increase – Should You Buy?

Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday. 659,274 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 137% from the previous session’s volume of 277,845 shares. The stock last traded at $39.0265 and had previously closed at $39.07.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on AIQUY. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Air Liquide in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Air Liquide from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Mizuho raised Air Liquide to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Air Liquide from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Buy”.

Air Liquide Stock Down 0.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $38.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.08.

Institutional Trading of Air Liquide

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its position in Air Liquide by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 13,518 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Air Liquide by 22.8% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 13,484 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 2,507 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Air Liquide during the second quarter worth $1,402,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

About Air Liquide

Air Liquide is a global supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, along with related technologies and services. The company produces and distributes gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and helium for use in industries including manufacturing, chemicals, energy, electronics, food and beverages, and scientific research. Its offerings also include gas-management systems, equipment and process solutions designed to support customers’ production and safety requirements.

Through its healthcare activities, Air Liquide supplies medical gases, respiratory-care products and services to hospitals, healthcare professionals and patients receiving care at home.