MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Buy" by Analysts

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of "Buy" by the five ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have assigned a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $202.50.

Several analysts recently issued reports on MSA shares. DA Davidson began coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a report on Thursday, December 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MSA Safety

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MSA. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter worth about $43,689,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of MSA Safety in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,894,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of MSA Safety by 27.6% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 781,705 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $138,658,000 after buying an additional 169,168 shares during the period. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of MSA Safety by 34.2% during the 4th quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 590,718 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $97,923,000 after buying an additional 150,402 shares during the period. Finally, Cooke & Bieler LP boosted its stake in MSA Safety by 25.3% in the 4th quarter. Cooke & Bieler LP now owns 651,366 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $107,977,000 after buying an additional 131,458 shares in the last quarter. 92.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

MSA Safety Stock Performance

Shares of MSA stock traded up $0.82 during trading on Friday, reaching $165.94. The company had a trading volume of 47,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 127,529. MSA Safety has a one year low of $153.79 and a one year high of $200.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $167.08 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $172.52. The company has a market capitalization of $6.52 billion, a PE ratio of 23.98 and a beta of 1.00.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. MSA Safety's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.