Acme United Corporation. (ACU)
:ACU
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Acme United (ACU) AI Stock Analysis

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ACU

Acme United

(NYSE MKT:ACU)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$40.00
▲(4.03% Upside)
Acme United's overall stock score reflects a stable financial foundation with strong profitability and low leverage. However, the significant revenue decline and cash flow challenges weigh heavily on the score. The technical analysis indicates bearish momentum, which is a concern. The valuation is reasonable, and the earnings call highlights both strategic strengths and challenges, particularly due to tariffs. The company's efforts to manage these issues and reduce debt are positive, but the overall outlook remains cautious.

Acme United (ACU) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Acme United Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAcme United Corporation supplies first aid and safety, cutting, sharpening, and measuring 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. It also provides fixed blades, folding knives, sight cutting tools, and tactical tools under the Camillus brand; fishing tools and knives, as well as cut and puncture resistant gloves, telescopic landing nets, net containment systems, and tools and fishing gaffs under the Cuda brand; and sharpening tools under the DMT brand. In addition, the company offers first aid kit and safety solutions under the First Aid Only brand; portable eyewash solution and over-the-counter medication, including active ingredients aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen under the PhysiciansCare brand; bodily fluid and spill clean-up solution under the Spill Magic brand; various first aid kit, refill, and safety supplies, including CPR kits, burn kits, and automotive and emergency first aid kits under the First Aid Central; and alcohol prep pads, alcohol wipes, benzalkonium chloride wipes, various antiseptic wipes, castile soaps, and lens cleaning wipes under the Med-Nap brand. It sells its products directly and through its independent manufacturer representatives to wholesale, contract, and retail stationery distributors; office supply super stores; school supply distributors; industrial distributors; wholesale florists; mass market and e-commerce retailers; and hardware chains, as well as sells a selection of products through its websites. The company was formerly known as Acme Shear Company and changed its name to Acme United Corporation in 1971. Acme United Corporation was founded in 1867 and is based in Shelton, Connecticut.
How the Company Makes MoneyAcme United generates revenue through the sale of its products across multiple distribution channels, including retail partners, e-commerce platforms, and direct sales to educational institutions and industrial clients. The company benefits from a diversified revenue model that includes wholesale distribution, direct-to-consumer sales, and international markets. Key revenue streams are driven by its established brands, strong customer relationships, and ongoing product innovation. Additionally, Acme United often engages in strategic partnerships with retailers to enhance product visibility and sales, further contributing to its earnings.

Acme United Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 23, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook. While there were strong earnings and strategic expansions in some areas, significant challenges due to high tariffs and sales declines in key segments were also highlighted.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Earnings in Q2 2025
Acme United set a quarterly record for earnings, with net income reaching $4.8 million compared to $4.5 million in 2024, marking a 7% increase.
Strong Cash Flow and Debt Reduction
Generated approximately $12 million in free cash flow over the past 12 months and reduced bank debt from $33 million to $23 million.
Expansion of Spill Magic Facilities
Purchased a new facility for Spill Magic in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, for $6 million, which will start production in Q1 2026, indicating future growth potential.
Growth in Canadian Segment
Net sales in local currency for Canada increased by 28% in the quarter and 21% year-to-date, driven by higher sales of first aid products.
Dividend Security
Despite challenging conditions, Acme United raised its dividend and expressed confidence in maintaining it due to strong free cash flow.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Net Sales
Net sales for Q2 2025 were $54 million, down 3% from $55.4 million in Q2 2024, largely due to high tariffs affecting order cancellations.
Impact of Tariffs
Tariffs on goods imported from China increased to 145%, leading to order cancellations and delays, significantly affecting sales in the U.S. segment.
Sales Decline in Europe
Net sales in Europe decreased by 6% in local currency for the quarter and year-to-date, attributed to the timing of shipments.
Challenges in Westcott Segment
The Westcott cutting tool area was significantly impacted by canceled orders and programs due to tariffs, affecting back-to-school sales.
Company Guidance
During the Acme United Corporation's Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call, Walter Johnsen, CEO, reported a quarterly record for earnings, with net sales of $54 million and a net income increase of 7% to $4.8 million, resulting in earnings per share of $1.16. The company's performance faced challenges due to a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, which led to canceled orders. Despite a 3% decrease in net sales, Acme United managed to mitigate these impacts through strategic inventory management, cost reduction, and shifting production to countries like Malaysia and Vietnam. Their first aid segment, particularly the Med-Nap facility in Florida, showed strong performance, contributing to a 28% sales increase in Canada. The gross margin remained steady at 41%, while the SG&A expenses were reduced slightly due to cost savings. The company also reduced bank debt by $11 million year-over-year, supported by a $12 million free cash flow, and they anticipate growth in the latter half of the year, leveraging their diversified supply chain and low total costs.

Acme United Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Acme United demonstrates a stable financial position with strong profitability margins and low leverage. However, the significant revenue decline and cash flow challenges in the TTM period are areas of concern. The company needs to address these issues to ensure sustainable growth and financial health in the future.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Acme United's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data indicates a significant revenue decline of 24.79%, which is concerning. However, the company maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 39.64% and a net profit margin of 5.56%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also stable at 7.80% and 10.99%, respectively. Despite the revenue drop, the company has managed to sustain profitability, which is a positive sign.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a strong equity position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, indicating low leverage. Return on equity is moderate at 9.87%, suggesting efficient use of equity capital. The equity ratio stands at 66.88%, highlighting a solid financial foundation. Overall, the balance sheet is stable with low financial risk.
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals challenges, with a significant decline in free cash flow growth by 59.09% in the TTM period. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is exceptionally high at 744.79, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 30.40%, showing some cash flow conversion issues. The cash flow position needs improvement to support long-term growth.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue145.95M194.49M191.50M193.96M182.09M164.00M
Gross Profit57.85M76.35M72.21M63.56M64.80M59.59M
EBITDA16.04M20.44M30.90M10.59M20.30M14.61M
Net Income8.12M10.02M17.79M3.03M13.66M8.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets173.04K162.17M149.24M164.38M144.44M129.87M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments5.15K6.40M4.80M6.10M4.84M4.17M
Total Debt25.58K32.84M25.51M63.42M47.48M47.71M
Total Liabilities57.28K55.19M51.34M85.35M67.36M67.15M
Stockholders Equity115.76K106.98M97.90M79.03M77.08M62.72M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow5.00M4.83M23.92M-1.71M-1.23M3.15M
Operating Cash Flow16.45M11.98M28.90M2.89M5.14M5.72M
Investing Cash Flow-10.35M-12.94M7.43M-14.23M-6.37M-13.95M
Financing Cash Flow-6.65M2.00M-38.44M14.28M2.04M5.29M

Acme United Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price38.45
Price Trends
50DMA
39.49
Negative
100DMA
40.71
Negative
200DMA
39.61
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.72
Positive
RSI
37.49
Neutral
STOCH
22.52
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ACU, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 38.45 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 37.87, below the 50-day MA of 39.49, and below the 200-day MA of 39.61, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.72 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 37.49 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.52 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for ACU.

Acme United Risk Analysis

Acme United disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Acme United reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Acme United Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
$205.31M14.5715.38%-5.47%13.42%
64
Neutral
$140.35M15.169.02%1.68%2.35%-50.52%
63
Neutral
$842.40M34.211.62%3.26%-1.34%-73.59%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
60
Neutral
$468.98M4.4214.55%2.63%-12.10%
49
Neutral
$129.08M130.716.60%30.04%-53.50%
46
Neutral
$175.02M-4.90-18.73%-13.14%57.98%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ACU
Acme United
36.87
-4.15
-10.12%
NUS
Nu Skin
9.62
2.03
26.75%
EPC
Edgewell Personal Care
18.13
-16.03
-46.93%
SLSN
Solesence
1.83
-0.62
-25.31%
SKIN
Beauty Health
1.28
-0.28
-17.95%
EWCZ
European Wax Center
3.80
-1.70
-30.91%

Acme United Corporate Events

Acme United Reports Modest Sales Growth in Q3 2025
Oct 22, 2025

Acme United Corporation is a global supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology, serving markets such as schools, homes, offices, hardware, sporting goods, and industrial sectors. The company is known for its leading brands including First Aid Only®, Westcott®, and Spill Magic®.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 07, 2025