LPL Financial LLC Increases Position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) by 2.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 74,940 shares of the industrial products company's stock after buying an additional 1,952 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC owned approximately 0.19% of MSA Safety worth $12,423,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MSA. ORG Partners LLC bought a new stake in MSA Safety during the 4th quarter valued at $1,131,000. Redmond Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of MSA Safety in the 4th quarter valued at about $362,000. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of MSA Safety by 18.8% in the 4th quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,700 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,774,000 after buying an additional 1,694 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 424,356 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $70,345,000 after acquiring an additional 6,119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in MSA Safety by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 124,041 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $20,468,000 after acquiring an additional 26,470 shares during the last quarter. 92.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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MSA Safety Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MSA traded down $4.27 during trading on Monday, hitting $129.89. The stock had a trading volume of 295,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 165,820. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 12-month low of $128.23 and a 12-month high of $200.61. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $165.41. The company has a quick ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.97.

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

MSA Safety Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 14th. MSA Safety's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.29%.

Insider Activity at MSA Safety

In other news, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 717 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,673 shares of the company's stock, valued at $584,007. This trade represents a 16.33 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 6.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on MSA shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a report on Thursday, December 12th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. DA Davidson started coverage on MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on MSA Safety from $190.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, MSA Safety presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $197.00.

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.