MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Shares Sold by New York State Common Retirement Fund

New York State Common Retirement Fund lessened its position in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) by 12.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 154,019 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 21,558 shares during the quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned approximately 0.39% of MSA Safety worth $26,003,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of MSA Safety in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in MSA Safety during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in MSA Safety during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in MSA Safety by 28.2% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 336 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in MSA Safety during the 4th quarter worth $61,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.51% of the company's stock.

MSA Safety Stock Up 0.0 %

MSA traded up $0.07 on Friday, hitting $188.78. 99,800 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 105,834. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $186.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $172.84. The company has a market cap of $7.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 130.19 and a beta of 1.01. MSA Safety Incorporated has a twelve month low of $122.57 and a twelve month high of $196.02. The company has a current ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised MSA Safety from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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 dated 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 8,474 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,540,912.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Rebecca B. Roberts sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.84, for a total value of $200,024.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 8,474 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,540,912.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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 directly owns 3,506 shares of the company's stock, valued at $650,363. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 5,504 shares of company stock valued at $1,017,991. 6.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate 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.