Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY) Sees Large Volume Increase – Time to Buy?

Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday. Approximately 831,705 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 200% from the average daily volume of 277,077 shares. The stock last traded at $42.61 and had previously closed at $42.55.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on AIQUY. Mizuho upgraded Air Liquide to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Air Liquide in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Zacks Research lowered Air Liquide from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Friday, October 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded Air Liquide from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

Air Liquide Trading Up 0.0%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 0.87. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $39.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.08.

Institutional Trading of Air Liquide

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Air Liquide by 274.6% during the 3rd quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 1,502 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 1,101 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Air Liquide by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,977 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $433,000 after buying an additional 2,259 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Air Liquide by 4.6% in the third quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 13,518 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $525,000 after acquiring an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Air Liquide by 6.8% in the first quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 32,573 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,352,000 after acquiring an additional 2,061 shares during the last quarter. 0.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Air Liquide

Air Liquide is a France-based group that supplies industrial and medical gases, technologies, and services to customers around the world. Founded in 1902, the company grew from the development of technology to separate gases from air. Its products include oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and specialty gases, along with equipment and services for producing and managing gas supplies. Air Liquide serves a range of industries, including healthcare, electronics, chemicals, energy, and manufacturing.