---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-23-033772"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ACU"
cik: "0000002098"
company_name: "ACME UNITED CORP"
filed_at: "2023-07-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T05:11:56.330891+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Acme United Q2 EPS rises 35% to $0.96, net income $3.4M; gross margin up 480 bps

## Summary
- Q2 net sales $53.3M (-6% YoY); net income $3.4M (+26%); diluted EPS $0.96 (+35%).
- Gross margin improved 480 bps to 37.5% from 32.7% on productivity gains, lower container costs.
- Reduced inventory $9.1M and bank debt less cash $12.3M YoY to $47.5M.
- U.S. segment sales -8% (inventory cuts), Europe -6%, Canada +13% (first aid strength).
- Six-month diluted EPS $1.25 (+34% YoY); paid $2.0M dividends; generated ~$14.0M free cash flow.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-23-033772
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ACU
- cik: 0000002098
- company_name: ACME UNITED CORP
- filed_at: 2023-07-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017023033772/0000950170-23-033772-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017023033772/acu-20230721.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-033772
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-033772.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-033772.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  ACME UNITED CORP reported the quarter ended June 30, 2023 results: revenue $53.3 million, net income $3.4 million, EPS $0.96 per diluted share.
  - Period: the quarter ended June 30, 2023
  - Revenue: $53.3 million
  - Net income: $3.4 million
  - EPS: $0.96 per diluted share
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were $53.3 million compared to $56.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 6%. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $99.2 million, compared to $100.1 million in the same period in 2022, a decrease of 1%. Net income was $3.4 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022, an increase of 26% in net income and 35% in diluted earnings per share.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017023033772/0000950170-23-033772-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  ACME UNITED CORP reported the six months ended June 30, 2023 results: revenue $99.2 million, net income $4.4 million, EPS $1.25 per diluted share.
  - Period: the six months ended June 30, 2023
  - Revenue: $99.2 million
  - Net income: $4.4 million
  - EPS: $1.25 per diluted share
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $99.2 million, compared to $100.1 million in the same period in 2022, a decrease of 1%. Net income was $3.4 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022, an increase of 26% in net income and 35% in diluted earnings per share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $4.4 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared to $3.6 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022, an increase of 24% in net income and 34% in diluted earnings per share.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017023033772/0000950170-23-033772-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.