MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Holdings Cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased its holdings in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,826,569 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 51,097 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 4.65% of MSA Safety worth $323,924,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MSA. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its position in MSA Safety by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 21,267 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $3,771,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of MSA Safety by 1.3% during the third quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 5,418 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $961,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV boosted its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 4.3% in the third quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,052 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in MSA Safety by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 8,060 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,429,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in MSA Safety by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,845 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,307,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. 92.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MSA Safety Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of MSA stock traded down $1.28 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $165.89. 88,721 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 160,434. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.97 and a beta of 0.99. MSA Safety Incorporated has a one year low of $160.02 and a one year high of $200.60. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $171.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $177.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.68.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.05. MSA Safety had a return on equity of 29.14% and a net margin of 15.16%. The company had revenue of $432.68 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $449.95 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.78 EPS. MSA Safety's quarterly revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 7.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 15th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. MSA Safety's payout ratio is 29.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on MSA. DA Davidson initiated coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on MSA Safety in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. They set a "hold" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, B. Riley initiated coverage on MSA Safety in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price 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.