KBC Group NV Raises Holdings in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

KBC Group NV raised its stake in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) by 1,858.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,053 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 17,131 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV's holdings in MSA Safety were worth $2,993,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC grew its position in MSA Safety by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 21,267 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $3,771,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 5,418 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $961,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 78.4% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 182 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV boosted its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 1.1% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 8,060 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,429,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.51% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

MSA Safety Price Performance

MSA stock traded up $1.87 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $164.52. 126,939 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 132,747. 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 stock's 50 day moving average price is $167.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $172.99. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 52-week low of $153.79 and a 52-week high of $200.60. The company has a market cap of $6.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.77 and a beta of 1.00.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

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

About MSA Safety

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.