As reported previously, Baird analyst David Manthey downgraded Air Products (APD) to Neutral from Outperform. Manthey believes the catalyst that led to identifiable margin improvement last quarter may have substantially played out and the company is now more exposed to sluggish economic trends that have underpinned his cautious thinking on Praxair (PX). Manthey lowered his price target to $140 from $146 on Air Products shares.

Air Products intends to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale multi-modal hydrogen refueling stations stretching from Edmonton to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The permanent, multi-modal hydrogen refueling stations will be equipped to serve heavy-duty vehicles, such as commercial and municipal trucks and buses, as well light-duty hydrogen fuel cell cars. The stations will be along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway that runs through Calgary and Edmonton, providing a fueling experience and speed that is similar to gasoline or diesel. This hydrogen infrastructure will help Western Canada reach a goal of 5,000 hydrogen or dual fuel vehicles on the road in five years.