Bard Associates Inc. Trims Stake in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

Bard Associates Inc. lessened its position in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU) by 1.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 117,567 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,930 shares during the quarter. Acme United makes up about 1.5% of Bard Associates Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Bard Associates Inc. owned about 3.14% of Acme United worth $4,389,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Management Corp VA raised its holdings in Acme United by 2.9% in the third quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 553,838 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,062,000 after purchasing an additional 15,385 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Acme United by 37.3% in the 3rd quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $475,000 after acquiring an additional 3,100 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in Acme United by 13.5% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 8,832 shares of the company’s stock valued at $364,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048 shares during the period. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in Acme United during the third quarter worth about $163,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Acme United in the third quarter worth about $196,000. 62.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Acme United from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday.

Acme United Stock Down 4.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ACU opened at $37.40 on Tuesday. Acme United Co. has a 12-month low of $32.85 and a 12-month high of $50.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $139.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.65 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $40.33. The company has a current ratio of 4.41, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Acme United Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 27th. Investors of record on Monday, January 6th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, January 6th. Acme United’s payout ratio is 24.69%.

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.