Acme United (NYSE:ACU) Cut to Hold at StockNews.com

Acme United (NYSE:ACU - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday.

Separately, Singular Research upgraded Acme United from a "moderate buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th.

Acme United Stock Down 0.5 %

ACU traded down $0.21 on Monday, reaching $40.99. The company's stock had a trading volume of 27,077 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,794. The stock has a market cap of $150.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.54 and a beta of 0.65. Acme United has a 1 year low of $28.03 and a 1 year high of $50.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 3.79 and a quick ratio of 1.77. The business's 50 day moving average is $42.22 and its 200 day moving average is $40.00.

Acme United (NYSE:ACU - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.15. Acme United had a return on equity of 10.14% and a net margin of 10.09%. The business had revenue of $55.43 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $56.50 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Acme United will post 2.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Brian S. Olschan sold 3,149 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.88, for a total transaction of $128,731.12. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 41,103 shares in the company, valued at $1,680,290.64. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 34.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Acme United

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sei Investments Co. acquired a new position in Acme United during the 2nd quarter worth $209,000. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Acme United during the 2nd quarter worth $291,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Acme United by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 10,341 shares of the company's stock worth $363,000 after buying an additional 723 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in Acme United by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 15,958 shares of the company's stock worth $750,000 after buying an additional 1,338 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in Acme United by 68.4% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 16,526 shares of the company's stock worth $580,000 after buying an additional 6,713 shares in the last quarter. 62.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Acme United

Acme United Corporation supplies cutting, measuring, first aid, and sharpening products to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods, and industrial markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company offers scissors, shears, knives, rulers, pencil sharpeners, paper trimmers, safety cutters, lettering products, glue guns, and other craft products under the Westcott brand name; and cutting tools under the Clauss brand.

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