Norges Bank Makes New Investment in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 438,520 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $72,693,000. Norges Bank owned 1.12% of MSA Safety at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in MSA Safety by 78.4% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 182 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in MSA Safety by 120.6% in the fourth quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 225 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in MSA Safety by 97.6% during the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 251 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in MSA Safety by 81.3% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 330 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 23.5% in the 4th quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 520 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the period. 92.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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MSA Safety Stock Down 3.2 %

MSA traded down $4.27 on Monday, hitting $129.89. The company had a trading volume of 295,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 165,820. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 2.79. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $156.38 and a 200-day moving average price of $165.41. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 12-month low of $127.86 and a 12-month high of $200.61.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The industrial products company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts predict that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 8.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MSA Safety Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a $0.51 dividend. 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 is currently 28.29%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MSA has been the topic of several research reports. DA Davidson initiated coverage on MSA Safety in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. They set a "hold" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Finally, 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 research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MSA Safety presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $197.00.

Insider Activity

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

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.