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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)

Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$49.00
▲(13.45% Upside)
Acme United's overall stock score reflects its strong financial performance and strategic management, despite challenges from tariffs and sales declines in certain segments. The company's robust cash flow and debt reduction efforts are significant strengths, while the technical indicators suggest a stable market position. Valuation is reasonable, and the extended credit facility enhances financial flexibility.

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

Acme United Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAcme United Corporation (ACU) is a leading supplier of innovative cutting, measuring, and safety products for the school, home, and office markets. The company operates primarily in the consumer and industrial segments, providing a diverse range of products including scissors, knives, first aid kits, and measuring tools. Acme United markets its products under various well-known brands, catering to both retail and institutional customers, and focuses on enhancing product functionality and design to meet consumer needs.
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: 3.70%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 28, 2025
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 strong financial health with robust profitability, efficient balance sheet management, and solid cash flow generation. The stability in revenue and margins signifies a well-managed operation, though increasing debt levels should be monitored.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Acme United's income statement highlights strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin of around 39%, which is robust for its industry. The net profit margin has slightly improved to 5.1% TTM from 5.2% last year, indicating effective cost management. Revenue growth is modest, with a 0.5% increase TTM, signaling stable performance. EBITDA and EBIT margins are healthy at 10.4% and 7.2% TTM respectively, suggesting solid operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, showing good leverage management. The return on equity (ROE) is a strong 9.3% TTM, reflecting efficient use of shareholders' funds. The equity ratio stands at 66.4% TTM, indicating a strong equity base relative to total assets, enhancing financial stability. However, the slight increase in total debt might require monitoring.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Acme United's cash flow statement shows a significant improvement in free cash flow, increasing by 147% TTM, which enhances financial flexibility. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 1.87 TTM, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.19 TTM further supports the sustainability of cash flows. These metrics highlight strong cash flow health, although capital expenditures have increased slightly.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue194.06M194.49M191.50M193.96M182.09M164.00M
Gross Profit76.39M76.35M72.21M63.56M64.80M59.59M
EBITDA18.99M20.44M30.90M10.59M20.30M14.61M
Net Income10.34M10.02M17.79M3.03M13.66M8.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets171.15M162.17M149.24M164.38M144.44M129.87M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.64M6.40M4.80M6.10M4.84M4.17M
Total Debt34.39M32.84M25.93M63.83M48.50M47.98M
Total Liabilities55.96M55.19M54.72M87.05M68.67M68.60M
Stockholders Equity113.72M106.98M97.90M79.03M77.08M62.72M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow7.51M4.83M23.92M-1.71M-1.23M3.15M
Operating Cash Flow11.91M11.98M28.90M2.89M5.14M5.72M
Investing Cash Flow-3.30M-12.94M7.43M-14.23M-6.37M-13.95M
Financing Cash Flow-8.92M2.00M-38.44M14.28M2.04M5.29M

Acme United Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price43.19
Price Trends
50DMA
41.33
Positive
100DMA
40.29
Positive
200DMA
39.55
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.12
Positive
RSI
57.00
Neutral
STOCH
39.04
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ACU, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 43.19 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 41.42, above the 50-day MA of 41.33, and above the 200-day MA of 39.55, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of -0.12 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.00 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 39.04 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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 (53)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$152.16M15.909.50%1.41%0.70%-48.75%
74
Outperform
$563.28M5.6813.68%1.98%-11.79%
62
Neutral
$1.36B20.992.98%3.19%-2.78%-17.38%
58
Neutral
$1.09B17.254.12%2.50%-2.92%-43.06%
53
Neutral
C$5.51B6.4712.24%3.30%3.58%-0.92%
51
Neutral
$2.45B-8.42%4.85%-5.29%9.72%
49
Neutral
$551.62M5.74-23.99%-4.39%-326.42%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ACU
Acme United
43.19
0.64
1.50%
HELE
Helen Of Troy
24.11
-30.00
-55.44%
NWL
Newell Brands
5.77
-1.19
-17.10%
NUS
Nu Skin
12.13
2.36
24.16%
SPB
Spectrum Brands Holdings
57.32
-32.86
-36.44%
EPC
Edgewell Personal Care
23.96
-15.17
-38.77%

Acme United Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Acme United Extends Credit Facility with HSBC
Positive
Jul 1, 2025

Acme United Corporation has extended the maturity of its $65 million secured revolving credit facility with HSBC Bank USA, N.A. from May 31, 2026, to May 31, 2027, as part of Amendment No. 11 to their Loan and Security Agreement, effective June 26, 2025. This extension provides Acme United with continued financial flexibility, potentially impacting its operational strategies and stakeholder interests positively by maintaining access to capital for an additional year.

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: Aug 23, 2025