Royce & Associates LP Raises Stock Holdings in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

Royce & Associates LP lifted its stake in shares of Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU) by 25.0% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 169,664 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 33,952 shares during the quarter. Royce & Associates LP’s holdings in Acme United were worth $6,334,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital Management Corp VA boosted its stake in shares of Acme United by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 569,849 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,272,000 after purchasing an additional 16,011 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 1,048 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in Acme United in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $163,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Acme United in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $196,000. Finally, Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Acme United by 22.9% in the 4th quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,006 shares of the company’s stock valued at $523,000 after acquiring an additional 2,606 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Acme United from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th.

Acme United Stock Down 0.6 %

ACU opened at $40.00 on Wednesday. Acme United Co. has a 12 month low of $32.85 and a 12 month high of $50.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $37.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.98. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $150.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.18 and a beta of 0.70.

Acme United Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 26th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 26th. Acme United’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.69%.

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.