MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Shares Purchased by Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its holdings in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) by 10.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,975 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after purchasing an additional 762 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank’s holdings in MSA Safety were worth $1,346,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Suncoast Equity Management boosted its holdings in MSA Safety by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. Suncoast Equity Management now owns 4,395 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $742,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio lifted its stake in MSA Safety by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 11,305 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,908,000 after buying an additional 1,543 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its stake in MSA Safety by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 5,838 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $986,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,756,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new stake in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,278,000. 92.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MSA Safety Price Performance

MSA Safety stock opened at $188.78 on Friday. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 12 month low of $122.57 and a 12 month high of $196.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 2.36 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $186.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $172.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.42 billion, a PE ratio of 130.19 and a beta of 1.01.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The industrial products company reported $2.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.18. MSA Safety had a return on equity of 32.44% and a net margin of 3.28%. The business had revenue of $495.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $467.52 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.80 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded MSA Safety from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MSA Safety has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $189.50.

Insider Transactions at MSA Safety

In other news, Director Rebecca B. Roberts sold 1,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.84, for a total transaction of $200,024.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 8,474 shares in the company, valued at $1,540,912.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Rebecca B. Roberts sold 1,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.84, for a total transaction of $200,024.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,474 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,540,912.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 305 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.50, for a total value of $56,577.50. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $650,363. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 5,504 shares of company stock worth $1,017,991 over the last 90 days. 6.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.