KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Takes $1.77 Million Position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 10,700 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $1,774,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSA. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 89.0% in the fourth quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 78,368 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $12,991,000 after buying an additional 36,914 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in MSA Safety by 38.8% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 56,365 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $9,344,000 after acquiring an additional 15,761 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. grew its position in MSA Safety by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,387 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $727,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MSA Safety during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,844,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in shares of MSA Safety by 12.2% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 10,091 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,673,000 after purchasing an additional 1,099 shares in the last quarter. 92.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at MSA Safety

In other MSA Safety news, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 717 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.00, for a total transaction of $114,003.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,673 shares in the company, valued at $584,007. The trade was a 16.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 6.20% of the company's stock.

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MSA Safety Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of MSA traded up $0.48 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $147.17. The company had a trading volume of 180,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 164,658. The stock has a market cap of $5.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.41 and a beta of 0.99. The company's 50 day moving average price is $158.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $166.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 52 week low of $145.03 and a 52 week high of $200.61.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The industrial products company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.02. MSA Safety had a return on equity of 28.64% and a net margin of 15.76%. On average, equities research analysts predict that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 8.06 EPS for the current year.

MSA Safety Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th were given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.39%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. MSA Safety's dividend payout ratio is currently 28.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MSA has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of MSA Safety from $190.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Jefferies Financial Group began 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. Finally, 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $197.00.

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.