Raymond James Financial Inc. Takes Position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 263,552 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,689,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned 0.67% of MSA Safety as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,131,000. Redmond Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter worth approximately $362,000. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in MSA Safety by 18.8% in the fourth quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,700 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,774,000 after acquiring an additional 1,694 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in MSA Safety by 27.1% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 124,041 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $20,468,000 after acquiring an additional 26,470 shares during the period. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. grew its position in MSA Safety by 67.6% in the third quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 23,385 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $4,147,000 after acquiring an additional 9,433 shares during the period. 92.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 717 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.00, for a total value of $114,003.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,673 shares in the company, valued at approximately $584,007. This trade represents a 16.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 6.20% of the company’s stock.

MSA Safety Trading Down 1.8 %

MSA opened at $152.69 on Wednesday. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 52 week low of $151.14 and a 52 week high of $200.61. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $162.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $169.26. The firm has a market cap of $5.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.18 and a beta of 0.99. 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 (NYSE:MSA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The industrial products company reported $2.25 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analysts expect that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current year.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th were paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 14th. MSA Safety’s payout ratio is currently 28.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. DA Davidson assumed coverage on MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on MSA Safety from $190.00 to $175.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. They set a “hold” rating and a $200.00 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 MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price 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.