Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Acquires 7,963 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 299,874 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after acquiring an additional 7,963 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 1.16% of ESCO Technologies worth $38,678,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $50,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 17.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. Finally, Stonegate Investment Group LLC bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $207,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 1.4 %

ESE stock traded down $2.10 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $146.64. The stock had a trading volume of 70,517 shares, compared to its average volume of 125,896. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $96.69 and a one year high of $154.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company's 50 day moving average is $133.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $120.76. The company has a market capitalization of $3.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.20 and a beta of 1.11.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is 8.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on ESE shares. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Friday, November 15th. StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies 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.