Cerity Partners LLC Makes New $1.28 Million Investment in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,572 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $1,278,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new stake in shares of MSA Safety in the fourth quarter worth $4,960,000. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of MSA Safety in the fourth quarter worth $9,944,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in MSA Safety by 0.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,802,609 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $599,481,000 after purchasing an additional 14,236 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in MSA Safety in the third quarter worth $461,000. Finally, Graham Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in MSA Safety in the third quarter worth $389,000. Institutional investors own 92.51% of the company's stock.

MSA Safety Stock Performance

Shares of MSA traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $185.38. 91,161 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 112,108. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 1-year low of $122.57 and a 1-year high of $196.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.29 billion, a PE ratio of 127.85 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 2.36. The business's 50 day moving average price is $185.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $171.80.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The industrial products company reported $2.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.18. MSA Safety had a net margin of 3.28% and a return on equity of 32.44%. The company had revenue of $495.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $467.52 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.80 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 7.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Nishan J. Vartanian sold 4,099 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.75, for a total value of $761,389.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 67,800 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,593,850. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 305 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.50, for a total value of $56,577.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,506 shares of the company's stock, valued at $650,363. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Nishan J. Vartanian sold 4,099 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.75, for a total transaction of $761,389.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 67,800 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,593,850. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 5,504 shares of company stock valued at $1,017,991 over the last 90 days. 6.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of MSA Safety from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MSA Safety currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $189.50.

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.