ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Sold by Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC

Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 0.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,043,852 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 3,889 shares during the period. ESCO Technologies makes up approximately 1.8% of Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC owned about 4.05% of ESCO Technologies worth $139,051,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the third quarter valued at $19,412,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 4.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $135,950,000 after acquiring an additional 49,577 shares in the last quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 28.7% in the third quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 180,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $23,262,000 after purchasing an additional 40,268 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 340.9% during the third 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. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 67.3% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 72,858 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $7,653,000 after acquiring an additional 29,308 shares in the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

Shares of ESCO Technologies stock opened at $132.61 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $137.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $129.38. The firm has a market cap of $3.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.66 and a beta of 1.13. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.69 and a twelve month high of $154.00.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.24%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 8.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 20th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th.

ESCO Technologies Company 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.

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