North Star Investment Management Corp. Has $11.18 Million Stock Holdings in Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU)

North Star Investment Management Corp. lowered its stake in shares of Acme United Co. (NYSE:ACU - Free Report) by 5.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 282,323 shares of the company's stock after selling 17,080 shares during the quarter. Acme United comprises approximately 0.8% of North Star Investment Management Corp.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. North Star Investment Management Corp. owned about 7.52% of Acme United worth $11,183,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Acme United by 59.7% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 28,165 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,051,000 after buying an additional 10,531 shares in the last quarter. Capital Management Corp VA increased its stake in Acme United by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 569,849 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,272,000 after acquiring an additional 16,011 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in Acme United by 17.2% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 10,355 shares of the company's stock valued at $387,000 after purchasing an additional 1,523 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Acme United by 22.9% during the fourth quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,006 shares of the company's stock worth $523,000 after purchasing an additional 2,606 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royce & Associates LP boosted its holdings in shares of Acme United by 25.0% in the 4th quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 169,664 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,334,000 after purchasing an additional 33,952 shares in the last quarter. 62.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Acme United Price Performance

NYSE ACU traded up $1.31 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $38.50. 17,677 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,092. The company has a market cap of $145.95 million, a PE ratio of 7.87 and a beta of 0.65. 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 Co. has a fifty-two week low of $32.85 and a fifty-two week high of $50.00. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $39.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.75.

Acme United (NYSE:ACU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Acme United had a net margin of 10.25% and a return on equity of 9.70%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.39 earnings per share.

Acme United Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This is an increase from Acme United's previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.66%. Acme United's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, COO Brian S. Olschan sold 809 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.95, for a total transaction of $32,319.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 42,210 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,686,289.50. This trade represents a 1.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 34.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised Acme United from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th.

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.