Principal Financial Group Inc. Acquires 3,562 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 2.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 125,266 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 3,562 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.49% of ESCO Technologies worth $16,687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $19,412,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $135,950,000 after buying an additional 49,577 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 340.9% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $5,728,000 after buying an additional 34,340 shares in the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $135,138,000 after buying an additional 18,676 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 438,536 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $56,563,000 after buying an additional 13,894 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ESE traded up $4.49 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $165.23. The stock had a trading volume of 152,602 shares, compared to its average volume of 120,146. 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 business's fifty day moving average is $142.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $134.57. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $97.11 and a twelve month high of $171.28. The company has a market cap of $4.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.79 and a beta of 1.13.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. As a group, research analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.51%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ESE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 20th. Benchmark upped their target price on ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Thursday.

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.