Topic: How To Invest

Hi, Pat: I’m considering adding Air Products to my RRSP. What do you think about this stock? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Air Products & Chemicals Inc., $147.51, symbol APD on New York (Shares outstanding: 214.3 million; Market cap: $31.8 billion; www.airproducts.com), sells gases extracted from the atmosphere (oxygen, nitrogen) and other sources (hydrogen, helium) to clients including oil and gas exploration firms, industrial-equipment manufacturers, electronics makers and health care companies. It also provides products and services for designing, building and operating liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. In its fiscal 2015 second quarter, which ended March 31, 2015, the company’s revenue fell 6.5%, to $2.41 billion from $2.58 billion. Air Products gets about 60% of its sales from outside of the U.S., and the strong U.S. dollar offset price increases and higher sales volumes. Despite the lower revenue, Air Products earned $336.1 million before one-time items in the latest quarter, up 18.6% from $283.5 million a year earlier. Per-share profits gained 17.4%, to $1.55 from $1.32, on more shares outstanding. The company now has a new CEO following pressure from activist investor Bill Ackman, who…