Acme United (NYSE:ACU) Upgraded at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Acme United (NYSE:ACU) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday morning.

Acme United Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ACU opened at $37.87 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $142.16 million, a PE ratio of 7.74 and a beta of 0.64. Acme United has a 12 month low of $32.85 and a 12 month high of $50.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 4.41 and a quick ratio of 1.91. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $39.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.24.

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

Acme United Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 26th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 26th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. Acme United’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.49%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Acme United

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in Acme United by 13.7% in the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 4,442 shares of the company’s stock valued at $165,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the period. Aristides Capital LLC grew 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 during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in Acme United by 11.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,846 shares of the company’s stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 691 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Acme United in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in Acme United by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 17,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $645,000 after purchasing an additional 996 shares during the period. 62.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Acme United Company Profile

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.