Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Trims Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC reduced its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 17.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 50,030 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 10,534 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.19% of ESCO Technologies worth $6,580,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at about $19,412,000. State Street Corp increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $135,950,000 after purchasing an additional 49,577 shares in the last quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 28.7% during the 3rd quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 180,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $23,262,000 after purchasing an additional 40,268 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 340.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $5,728,000 after purchasing an additional 34,340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $135,138,000 after purchasing an additional 18,676 shares in the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ESE has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 20th. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

Shares of ESE traded down $7.58 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $162.07. The stock had a trading volume of 246,571 shares, compared to its average volume of 121,419. The firm has a market cap of $4.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.04 and a beta of 1.13. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $97.11 and a 12 month high of $171.28. The business has a fifty day moving average of $139.54 and a 200 day moving average of $132.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 2.04.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. Equities analysts predict that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.51%.

ESCO Technologies Company Profile

ESCO Technologies Inc produces and supplies engineered products and systems for industrial and commercial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Defense, Utility Solutions Group, and RF Test & Measurement. The Aerospace & Defense segment designs and manufactures filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications; filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites; and custom designed filters for manned aircraft and submarines.