Victory Capital Management Inc. Boosts Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 9.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after acquiring an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned 0.27% of ESCO Technologies worth $9,079,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC raised its position in ESCO Technologies by 0.5% during the third quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 94,350 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $12,169,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% in the third 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 acquiring an additional 18,676 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the third quarter worth about $786,000. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 12,361 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,594,000 after purchasing an additional 822 shares during the period. Finally, Tributary Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 28.7% in the 3rd quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 180,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $23,262,000 after buying an additional 40,268 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of ESE stock traded up $0.29 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $148.82. The stock had a trading volume of 128,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 126,508. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The firm's 50-day moving average is $130.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.56. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $96.69 and a 12-month high of $154.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.74 and a beta of 1.08.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date 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 8.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.