MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Shares Sold by Fruth Investment Management

Fruth Investment Management cut its stake in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) by 2.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,100 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 300 shares during the quarter. Fruth Investment Management’s holdings in MSA Safety were worth $2,005,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in MSA Safety during the fourth quarter worth about $1,131,000. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. increased its stake in MSA Safety by 67.6% during 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 last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its position in MSA Safety by 62.0% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 16,688 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $2,959,000 after purchasing an additional 6,384 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in shares of MSA Safety during the 3rd quarter worth $737,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of MSA Safety by 78.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 9,671 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,715,000 after purchasing an additional 4,259 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.51% of the company’s stock.

MSA Safety Price Performance

MSA Safety stock opened at $165.19 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 2.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 52-week low of $153.79 and a 52-week high of $200.60. The firm has a market cap of $6.49 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87 and a beta of 1.00. The company’s 50 day moving average is $167.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $172.99.

MSA Safety Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. MSA Safety’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.48%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MSA shares. DA Davidson initiated coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $195.00 price target for the company. B. Riley started coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $202.50.

MSA Safety Company 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.