Dean Investment Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 25.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 38,569 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 7,727 shares during the quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC owned about 0.15% of ESCO Technologies worth $4,975,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 20.9% during the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $320,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,222 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $759,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 43.0% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 17.9% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $128,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.
ESCO Technologies Stock Performance
ESE stock traded down $1.03 on Friday, hitting $143.51. The company's stock had a trading volume of 45,503 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,154. 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 stock has a market cap of $3.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.42 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $135.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $121.75. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.69 and a 1 year high of $154.00.
ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued 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 dividend payout ratio is presently 8.12%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
ESE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Stephens raised their target price on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th.
Read Our Latest Report on ESCO Technologies
ESCO Technologies Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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.
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