Citigroup Inc. Has $5.03 Million Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 46.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 39,013 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 12,461 shares during the quarter. Citigroup Inc. owned approximately 0.15% of ESCO Technologies worth $5,032,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.2% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,372,850 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $144,204,000 after purchasing an additional 16,152 shares in the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the third quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $135,138,000 after acquiring an additional 18,676 shares during the period. Select Equity Group L.P. lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 277.5% in the 2nd quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 395,460 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $41,539,000 after acquiring an additional 290,711 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 299,874 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $38,678,000 after acquiring an additional 7,963 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 18.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 283,266 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $29,754,000 after acquiring an additional 43,907 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 1.4 %

NYSE ESE traded down $2.10 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $146.64. 70,517 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 125,896. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.78 billion, a PE ratio of 37.22 and a beta of 1.11. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $134.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $121.02. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.69 and a fifty-two week high of $154.00.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on ESE shares. StockNews.com cut ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Finally, Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th.

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.