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ACU

ACME UNITED CORP
7 filings tracked
consumer discretionaryconsumer electronicsSMALL ($300M-2B)

Company Intelligence Hub

Filing history, signal momentum, and bull/bear evolution

Chronological Filing Evolution (Click to filter / toggle)

Thesis (Bull Case Evolution)

Acme United is demonstrating a successful strategic pivot, evolving from a traditional manufacturer into a diversified safety and tactical platform. The first quarter of 2026 saw consolidated net sales surge 14% to $52.3 million, underpinned by a healthy 6% organic growth rate.…

Bullish Outlook

Antithesis (Bear Case / Structural Risks)

Despite the top-line growth, Acme United's operational efficiency is showing signs of strain. Operating income fell significantly, with the U.S. segment seeing a sharp decline driven by higher tariff-related costs and increased quality assurance expenses.…

Risk Factors

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Synthesis (Verdict & Resolution)

The Q1 2026 filing reveals a company in the midst of a high-stakes transition. Acme United is successfully growing its revenue and diversifying its product portfolio through the My Medic acquisition, yet this growth has come at the cost of immediate profitability and balance sheet leaness. The tension between aggressive expansion and operational headwinds—specifically tariffs and integration costs—is the central theme of the current period. Investors are now weighing the long-term potential of the tactical gear market against the short-term reality of negative cash flow and increased debt. The critical inflection point will occur in the second half of 2026, as the market determines if the promised 'tariff tailwinds' and integration synergies can translate into a meaningful recovery of operating income and a return to positive cash flow generation.

Selected Quarter

Core Takeaway

ACU is trading short-term profitability for long-term scale through the My Medic acquisition and international expansion.

Investor Lens

The trade-off is between the ability to successfully integrate a new high-growth business versus the risk of over-leverage in a volatile trade environment.

Watch Next

Q2 2026 operating income to see if the transition to lower-tariff inventory actually restores profitability.

View Full SEC Report

Signal Momentum Chart

Quarterly net bull/bear signal ratio. Click nodes to select a quarter.

BULLISH (+1.0)NEUTRAL (0.0)BEARISH (-1.0)+0.13Q2 '26 (10-Q)

Signal Timeline

Active Filters:Quarter: Q2 '26 (10-Q)
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%
bearishMay 6

Net income fell from $1.65M to $0.98M YoY due to rising SG&A and tariff costs.

earnings miss
60%
bullishMay 6

Acquired My Medic for $18.6M to expand into tactical and emergency response products.

acquisition
70%
bullishMay 6

Gross profit margin improved to 39.7% from 39.0%.

margin expansion
40%
neutralMay 6

Increased long-term debt to $33M via revolving credit facility to fund growth.

capital raise
50%

Filing History

10-QMay 6, 2026
Expand Sequence

The Q1 2026 filing reveals a company in the midst of a high-stakes transition. Acme United is successfully growing its revenue and diversifying its product portfolio through the My Medic acquisition, yet this growth has come at the cost of immediate profitability and balance sheet leaness. The tension between aggressive expansion and operational headwinds—specifically tariffs and integration costs—is the central theme of the current period. Investors are now weighing the long-term potential of the tactical gear market against the short-term reality of negative cash flow and increased debt. The critical inflection point will occur in the second half of 2026, as the market determines if the promised 'tariff tailwinds' and integration synergies can translate into a meaningful recovery of operating income and a return to positive cash flow generation.

Disclaimer: The synthesis provided is generated by AI models and should not be construed as investment advice. Analysis is based solely on regulatory data present at the time of publication. Consult a financial advisor for specific investment strategies.