Copeland Capital Management LLC Acquires Shares of 180,332 MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

Copeland Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 180,332 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $29,894,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC owned 0.46% of MSA Safety as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Milestone Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of MSA Safety during the 4th quarter worth $759,000. KBC Group NV raised its position in MSA Safety by 1,858.0% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 18,053 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $2,993,000 after purchasing an additional 17,131 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its position in shares of MSA Safety by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 7,452 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,235,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Mountain Pacific Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in MSA Safety by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Mountain Pacific Investment Advisers LLC now owns 136,767 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $22,672,000 after buying an additional 4,086 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in MSA Safety by 78.4% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 182 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. 92.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MSA Safety Price Performance

MSA stock traded up $0.73 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $165.16. The stock had a trading volume of 40,001 shares, compared to its average volume of 128,646. The stock has a market cap of $6.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.86 and a beta of 1.00. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 1-year low of $153.79 and a 1-year high of $200.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.68. The company's 50 day moving average price is $167.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $172.99.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.24%. MSA Safety's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.48%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on MSA shares. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. B. Riley began coverage on MSA Safety in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Finally, DA Davidson started coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a report on Thursday, December 19th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $202.50.

MSA Safety Profile

MSA Safety Incorporated develops, manufactures, and supplies safety products and technology solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures in the fire service, energy, utility, construction, and industrial manufacturing applications, as well as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries worldwide.