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This Gaseous Bet Can Bolster Your Portfolio

By Neha Chamaria – Updated Apr 6, 2017 at 6:12PM

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Air Products and Chemicals is cruising along.

The products this company sells might not be visible, but its strong fourth-quarter numbers are not to be missed. High volumes, high prices, new contracts rolling in -- things seem to be on the right track for industrial gas provider Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE: APD).

After the company recently acquired a 25% stake in a Saudi Arabian business, let's see what else is cooking at Air Products and whether it's worth a place in your stock watchlist.

The numbers
Backed by double-digit sales growth in most segments, Air Products' total revenues grew 11% from the year-ago quarter to $2.6 billion. While higher volumes and demand from emerging markets played a big role in pushing up revenues, pricing had an important part to play, especially in segments such as performance materials.

As a result of strong top-line growth, Air Products' net income went up to $325 million from $294 million a year ago.

Raise those prices
To tackle soaring input costs, Air Products increased prices in various product lines, especially chemicals. Its performance materials section's revenues thus rose in spite of lower volumes.

Air Products is not the only one hiking prices, though. The entire chemical space has been on a price-hiking spree lately. Huntsman (NYSE: HUN), for instance, has been benefiting from frequent price hikes. Ashland (NYSE: ASH) also announced fresh increases last month. There are many other similar stories brewing in the chemical industry.

Air Products may boost prices further. Even in relatively weaker markets like Europe, it will continue to push up prices to offset costs. These moves should increase the company's revenues in the forthcoming quarters.

Emerging markets are the winners!
Air Products seems to be making the most from the emerging markets. This region was a big contributor to the company's solid fourth-quarter revenues. And Air Products has kept its investments in these regions rolling.

It has collaborated with a Chinese university on clean energy technology. At the same time, an energy company in China has extended its relationship with Air Products by awarding it with a long-term gas supply contract.

To tap growth opportunities in the electronics industry, Air Products will expand its nitrogen production in Korea by building new plants. The company has plans for similar expansions around the world. Recently, electronics giant Samsung chose Air Products to supply gases for production of its mobile display.

Emerging markets have thus opened up a world of opportunities for Air Products and its peers. Praxair (NYSE: PX), for instance, will be supplying gases to a company in Russia under a 15-year agreement .The company also has new contracts in China and is expanding its base in the fast-growing Indian market.

Strong emerging markets should continue to drive growth for Air Products.

The Foolish bottom line
Air Products' ride on the back of fast-growing markets is great. Moreover, the company has planned a fresh $1 billion buyback program and also raised its dividend for the 29th consecutive year (current dividend yield is good at 2.8%). This is good for investors!

Also, after an unsuccessful bid for rival Airgas (NYSE: ARG), who knows what the company might have next in mind. I suggest you keep an eye on the stock and stay updated on its news and analysis. Click here to add it to your stock watchlist

Neha Chamaria does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned in this article. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Stocks Mentioned

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Stock Quote
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
APD
$237.07 (-0.61%) $-1.45
Linde plc Stock Quote
Linde plc
LIN
$269.15 (-1.80%) $-4.92
Ashland Global Holdings Inc. Stock Quote
Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
ASH
$97.12 (0.09%) $0.09
Huntsman Corporation Stock Quote
Huntsman Corporation
HUN
$23.95 (-2.88%) $0.71

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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