HighTower Advisors LLC Raises Position in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU) by 13.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,832 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,048 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC owned 0.24% of Acme United worth $364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Acme United in the second quarter worth about $1,403,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Acme United by 118.3% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 65,224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,285,000 after purchasing an additional 35,352 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Acme United by 53.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 47,933 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,681,000 after purchasing an additional 16,796 shares during the period. Capital Management Corp VA boosted its stake in Acme United by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 553,838 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,062,000 after purchasing an additional 15,385 shares during the period. Finally, Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Acme United during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $291,000. 62.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Acme United Price Performance

Shares of Acme United stock opened at $37.89 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 4.41, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Acme United Co. has a 12 month low of $32.85 and a 12 month high of $50.99. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $42.13 and a 200 day moving average of $40.38. The firm has a market cap of $141.75 million, a PE ratio of 7.75 and a beta of 0.67.

Acme United (NYSE:ACU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 18th. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73 by ($0.19). Acme United had a return on equity of 9.70% and a net margin of 10.25%. The business had revenue of $48.17 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $52.40 million. On average, research analysts expect that Acme United Co. will post 2.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Acme United Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 27th. Investors of record on Monday, January 6th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 6th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.58%. Acme United’s dividend payout ratio is currently 12.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Acme United from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st.

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.