Acme United (ACU) vs Lifetime Brands (LCUT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Lifetime Brands (LCUT) has outperformed Acme United (ACU) over the past year, gaining 143.5% versus a gain of 56.9%. Over five years, ACU leads with a +72.0% price change compared with -50.0% for LCUT. Acme United is the larger company by market cap ($237.5 million vs $213.8 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Lifetime Brands trades at a lower trailing P/E (6.4x vs 26.0x for Acme United). Lifetime Brands offers the higher dividend yield (1.83% vs 1.03%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ACU | LCUT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $61.94 | $9.30 |
| Market cap | $237.47M | $213.80M |
| 1-day change | -0.06% | +0.76% |
| YTD return | +53.66% | +135.44% |
| 1-year return | +56.93% | +143.46% |
| 5-year return | +72.01% | -50.03% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.03 | 6.41 |
| Forward P/E | — | 8.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.38 | $1.45 |
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 1.83% |
| Annual dividend | $0.64 | $0.17 |
| 52-week high | $64.87 | $10.17 |
| 52-week low | $35.50 | $2.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.52% | -8.55% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -6.36% | +34.41% |
| Average volume | 37.73K | 173.42K |
| Shares outstanding | 3.83M | 22.99M |
| Employees | 649 | 1,080 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- LCUT has outperformed ACU by 86.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Acme United trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.0x vs 6.4x trailing P/E).
About Acme United
ACU stock →Acme United Corporation supplies cutting, measuring, first aid, and sharpening 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.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 649 employees
About Lifetime Brands
LCUT stock →Lifetime Brands, Inc. designs, sources, and sells branded kitchenware, tableware, and other home solution products for use in the home, and market in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,080 employees
ACU vs LCUT FAQ
Which is bigger, Acme United or Lifetime Brands?
Acme United (ACU) is larger, with a market capitalization of $237.47M compared with $213.80M for Lifetime Brands (LCUT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACU or LCUT?
LCUT returned +143.46% over the past 12 months, compared with +56.93% for ACU (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ACU or LCUT?
LCUT has the lower trailing P/E at 6.4, versus 26.0 for ACU. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Acme United or Lifetime Brands?
Lifetime Brands has the higher yield at 1.83%, compared with 1.03% for Acme United.
Are Acme United and Lifetime Brands in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.