Bessemer Group Inc. Decreases Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Bessemer Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 13.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,303 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 2,559 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. owned about 0.06% of ESCO Technologies worth $2,172,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ESE. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 747.1% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 150.0% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 305 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 378.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 447 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 21.7% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 571 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ESE traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $151.28. 121,105 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 128,331. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.77 and a 12 month high of $171.28. The company has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a PE ratio of 35.51 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $157.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $143.38.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 9.91% and a net margin of 10.44%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.21%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.51%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ESE shares. StockNews.com cut ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Benchmark increased their price target on ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Thursday, February 27th.

About ESCO Technologies

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.