UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): | March 20, 2007 |
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 1-4534 | 23-1274455 |
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_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction |
_____________ (Commission |
______________ (I.R.S. Employer |
| of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
| 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania | 18195-1501 | |
|
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices) |
___________ (Zip Code) |
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | 610 481-4911 |
Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On March 20, 2007, the company published the Quarter-to-Date Sales Update, including consolidated sales and product volumes for January and February 2007 on its website at http://www.airproducts.com/Invest/financialnews/current.htm. A copy is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. The Quarter-to-Date Sales Update is being furnished; it is not deemed to be filed.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Quarter-to-Date Sales Update dated March 20, 2007.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. | ||||
| March 20, 2007 | By: |
Paul E. Huck
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| Name: Paul E. Huck | ||||
| Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Exhibit Index
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
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99.1
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Quarter-to-Date Sales Update dated March 20, 2007. |
Exhibit 99.1
Quarter-to-Date
Sales Update
March 20, 2007
| January and | ||||||
| February 2007 | ||||||
| (% Change vs. | ||||||
| Prior Year) | Commentary | |||||
Consolidated Sales
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10 | % | Underlying growth of +12% on increases across most segments (lower Equipment and Chemicals). Currency +2%, Natural gas (4%). Acquisitions and divestitures net for 0% growth. |
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Merchant Gases
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20 | % | Sales increased on solid demand across all regions and improved pricing in North America and Europe. Currency +4%. |
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Tonnage Gases
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10 | % | Sales increased due to new hydrogen plants brought on-stream during 2006. Lower natural gas pricing impacted sales growth by ~ (16%). |
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Electronics and Performance Materials |
15 | % | Sales increased in both businesses driven by underlying industry growth. Electronics sales benefited from the loading of investments made throughout 2006 and particularly strong Equipment orders. Performance Materials sales benefited from strong European and Asian demand and the Tomah acquisition. |
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Healthcare
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15 | % | Sales increased primarily due to the UK respiratory care contract and underlying strength in our Spanish homecare business. Currency +4%. |
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Note: We are providing this information at the request of financial analysts and investors who have indicated that it would assist them in understanding recent business trends at Air Products. This information is based on current estimates and data that we believe in our judgment to be reliable. Please keep in mind that sales are not the only factors that determine future financial performance. Many other factors including raw material, energy, distribution and overhead costs and other price changes also influence results.