Royce & Associates LP Increases Stake in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

Royce & Associates LP grew its position in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU) by 25.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 169,664 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 33,952 shares during the period. Royce & Associates LP owned about 4.54% of Acme United worth $6,334,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. boosted 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 purchasing an additional 2,606 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Acme United by 17.2% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 10,355 shares of the company’s stock valued at $387,000 after buying an additional 1,523 shares in the last quarter. Capital Management Corp VA grew its holdings in Acme United by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 569,849 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,272,000 after acquiring an additional 16,011 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Acme United by 59.7% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 28,165 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,051,000 after acquiring an additional 10,531 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Acme United in the third quarter valued at $196,000. 62.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Acme United Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of Acme United stock opened at $40.00 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $37.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.98. The stock has a market cap of $150.16 million, a PE ratio of 8.18 and a beta of 0.70. 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 $50.00.

Acme United Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.