Commerce Bank Sells 30,000 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Commerce Bank trimmed its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 59.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,310 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 30,000 shares during the period. Commerce Bank owned about 0.08% of ESCO Technologies worth $2,620,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at about $50,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the third 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 in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position 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 buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $205,000. 95.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE ESE traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $148.94. The company had a trading volume of 128,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 145,268. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.80 and a beta of 1.08. 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 firm's 50 day moving average is $130.97 and its 200-day moving average is $118.91. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $154.00.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.21%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 8.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ESE shares. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th.

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.