ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Sets New 1-Year High - Should You Buy?

Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $167.76 and last traded at $168.05, with a volume of 40398 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $163.27.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. StockNews.com raised shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 20th.

ESCO Technologies Trading Down 4.5 %

The firm's 50-day moving average price is $139.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $132.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The company has a market cap of $4.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.04 and a beta of 1.13.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.51%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 55.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,516 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,485,000 after buying an additional 4,125 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $9,079,000 after buying an additional 5,874 shares in the last quarter. Premier Fund Managers Ltd purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $942,000. Creative Planning grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 53.1% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $1,682,000 after buying an additional 4,526 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 5.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

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.