MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) Shares Acquired by Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC

Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA) by 34.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 590,718 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after purchasing an additional 150,402 shares during the quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC owned 1.50% of MSA Safety worth $97,923,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MSA. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 78.4% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 182 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in MSA Safety by 486.0% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 252 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank increased its position in MSA Safety by 23.5% during the 4th quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 520 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 690.5% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 751 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $133,000 after buying an additional 656 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of MSA Safety by 985.1% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 803 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $143,000 after buying an additional 729 shares during the period. 92.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MSA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on MSA Safety in a report on Thursday, December 12th. They set a “hold” rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Finally, B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of MSA Safety in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. One investment 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 company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $202.50.

MSA Safety Stock Performance

MSA Safety stock opened at $164.69 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.68. MSA Safety Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $153.79 and a fifty-two week high of $200.60. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $168.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $173.37. The company has a market capitalization of $6.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.80 and a beta of 1.00.

MSA Safety Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.24%. MSA Safety’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.48%.

About MSA Safety

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.