Barclays PLC Boosts Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Barclays PLC raised its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 340.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 34,340 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned 0.17% of ESCO Technologies worth $5,728,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ESE. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter worth about $50,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 20.9% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake 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 valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 17.9% during the third 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the second quarter worth $205,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 1.4 %

ESCO Technologies stock traded up $1.85 on Friday, hitting $135.31. 313,514 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 124,815. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.69 and a 1 year high of $154.00. The firm has a market cap of $3.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.34 and a beta of 1.11. 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 business's fifty day simple moving average is $138.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $123.79.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 8.12%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ESE. StockNews.com raised shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Stephens raised their price objective 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.