Acme United (ACU) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $171.34M
• Dividend Yield: 1.48%
• Average Volume (3M): 9.50K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 18.1
• Beta (1Y): 0.61
• Revenue Growth: 2.35%
• EPS Growth: -50.52%
• Country: US
• Employees: 633
• Sector: Consumer Defensive
• Sector Strength: 42
• Industry: Household & Personal Products
• EPS (TTM): 0.46
• Shares Outstanding: 3,806,724
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 11,184
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 9,501
• PEG Ratio: -0.30
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.29
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.71
• P/FCF Ratio: 28.62
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 1.00
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 0.88
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 2.22
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: 8.31
• 1Y Price Target: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: N/A
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0
• EPS Forecast (FY): 2.18
• Revenue Forecast (FY): $205.73M

• Rating: 66 Neutral
• Price Target: $47.00 ▲(26.86% Upside)
• Action: Reiterated Date: 01/23/26
• Date: Action: Reiterated 01/23/26

The score is driven primarily by stable financial footing and profitability with low leverage, tempered by a steep TTM revenue decline and weaker free cash flow growth. Technicals are supportive with price above major moving averages and positive MACD, while valuation is reasonable but not notably cheap and the dividend is modest. The recent acquisition is a positive incremental growth catalyst.

Positive Factors

Strong Profitability Margins

Acme United's ability to maintain strong profitability margins despite revenue declines indicates efficient cost management and pricing power, which are crucial for long-term sustainability.

Low Leverage

The company's low leverage provides financial flexibility and reduces risk, allowing it to navigate economic downturns and invest in growth opportunities without excessive debt burden.

Strong Cash Generation

Strong cash generation relative to net income suggests robust operational efficiency, enabling Acme United to fund operations and growth initiatives internally, reducing reliance on external financing.

Negative Factors

Revenue Decline

The substantial drop in revenue raises concerns about market demand and competitive pressures, which could impact the company's ability to sustain growth and profitability in the long term.

Cash Flow Challenges

Declining free cash flow growth indicates potential liquidity issues, which could constrain Acme United's ability to invest in strategic initiatives and meet financial obligations, affecting long-term growth prospects.

Earnings Decline

A sharp decline in EPS growth suggests weakening profitability and could signal challenges in maintaining competitive advantage, potentially affecting investor confidence and future earnings potential.

Acme United Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Acme 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 Money

Acme United generates revenue through the sale of its wide range of products across various sectors. The company's revenue model is primarily based on direct sales to retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, as well as through e-commerce platforms. Key revenue streams include the sale of school and office supplies, industrial safety products, and medical kits. Additionally, Acme United has established significant partnerships with major retail chains and wholesalers which help to expand its market reach. The company also benefits from brand recognition and customer loyalty in its product categories, contributing to repeat sales and stable revenue growth.

Acme United Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Solid balance sheet with low leverage (debt-to-equity 0.22) and strong equity ratio (66.88%), plus healthy profitability margins (gross margin 39.64%, net margin 5.56%). Offsetting this, TTM revenue declined sharply (-24.79%) and free cash flow growth fell meaningfully (-59.09%), indicating near-term operating and cash flow pressure.

Income Statement

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

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

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.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	194.96M	194.49M	191.50M	193.96M	182.09M	164.00M
Gross Profit	77.03M	76.35M	72.21M	63.56M	64.80M	59.59M
EBITDA	20.62M	20.44M	30.90M	10.59M	20.30M	14.61M
Net Income	10.02M	10.02M	17.79M	3.03M	13.66M	8.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	173.04M	162.17M	149.24M	164.38M	144.44M	129.87M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	5.15M	6.40M	4.80M	6.10M	4.84M	4.17M
Total Debt	35.14M	32.84M	25.51M	63.42M	47.48M	47.71M
Total Liabilities	57.28M	55.19M	51.34M	85.35M	67.36M	67.15M
Stockholders Equity	115.76M	106.98M	97.90M	79.03M	77.08M	62.72M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	5.00M	4.83M	23.92M	-1.71M	-1.23M	3.15M
Operating Cash Flow	16.45M	11.98M	28.90M	2.89M	5.14M	5.72M
Investing Cash Flow	-10.35M	-12.94M	7.43M	-14.23M	-6.37M	-13.95M
Financing Cash Flow	-6.65M	2.00M	-38.44M	14.28M	2.04M	5.29M

Acme United Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Positive
• Last Price: 37.05
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: 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 37.05 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 44.17, below the 50-day MA of 42.79, and below the 200-day MA of 40.48, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.77 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 58.47 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 78.90 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ACU.

Acme United Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
ACU	66 Neutral	$171.34M	18.06	9.02%	1.48%	2.35%	-50.52%
Sector *	62 Neutral	$20.33B	14.63	-3.31%	3.23%	1.93%	-12.26%
EWCZ	61 Neutral	$312.80M	21.93	15.38%	―	-5.47%	13.42%
NUS	58 Neutral	$408.12M	2.66	22.00%	2.39%	-12.10%	―
EPC	52 Neutral	$1.06B	-26.84	1.62%	3.51%	-1.34%	-73.59%
SKIN	51 Neutral	$132.60M	-4.71	-18.73%	―	-13.14%	57.98%
SLSN	49 Neutral	$90.29M	91.43	6.60%	―	30.04%	-53.50%

Acme United Corporate Events

Acme United Completes My Medic and Rapid Medical Acquisition

On January 15, 2026, Acme United Corporation acquired substantially all of the assets of SLED Distribution, LLC, doing business as My Medic, and Rapid Medical, LLC, Utah-based businesses that manufacture and sell emergency and first aid kits, medical packs, tourniquets and related trauma and emergency response products, primarily through a direct-to-consumer model. The deal, valued at a maximum of $18.7 million including $14.6 million paid in cash at closing and up to $4.1 million in contingent and holdback amounts tied to revenue milestones and indemnification, brings My Medic’s approximately $19 million in 2025 revenue, intellectual property, customer relationships, and its sizable social media following into Acme’s safety portfolio, while leaving pre-closing liabilities with the sellers; Acme plans to keep operations in North Salt Lake, Utah and leverage combined marketing, distribution, sourcing and manufacturing capabilities to expand My Medic’s product range and distribution in the U.S. and Canada.

The most recent analyst rating on (ACU) stock is a Hold with a $46.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Acme United stock, see the ACU Stock Forecast page.