Renaissance Technologies LLC Reduces Position in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

Renaissance Technologies LLC reduced its position in shares of Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU) by 3.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 122,907 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,300 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC’s holdings in Acme United were worth $4,588,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in Acme United during the 3rd quarter worth about $163,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Acme United during the 3rd quarter worth about $196,000. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Acme United by 13.5% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 8,832 shares of the company’s stock worth $364,000 after purchasing an additional 1,048 shares during the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Acme United by 22.9% in the fourth quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,006 shares of the company’s stock valued at $523,000 after purchasing an additional 2,606 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aristides Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Acme United by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Aristides Capital LLC now owns 17,567 shares of the company’s stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 670 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Acme United from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday.

Acme United Stock Performance

Shares of ACU stock opened at $40.98 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $38.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $39.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a current ratio of 4.41. Acme United Co. has a 1 year low of $32.85 and a 1 year high of $50.00. The firm has a market cap of $153.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.38 and a beta of 0.63.

Acme United (NYSE:ACU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Acme United had a return on equity of 9.70% and a net margin of 10.25%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS.

Acme United Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 26th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 26th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.46%. Acme United’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.49%.

About Acme United

Acme United Corporation supplies cutting, measuring, first aid, and sharpening products to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods, and industrial markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company offers scissors, shears, knives, rulers, pencil sharpeners, paper trimmers, safety cutters, lettering products, glue guns, and other craft products under the Westcott brand name; and cutting tools under the Clauss brand.