StockNews.com Upgrades ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) to Buy

StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Stephens lifted their price target on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of ESE stock traded up $0.94 during trading on Thursday, hitting $132.40. 56,952 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 104,849. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.60 and a beta of 1.11. 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 business's 50-day simple moving average is $139.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $126.33. ESCO Technologies has a twelve month low of $96.69 and a twelve month high of $154.00.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business 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 $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is 8.12%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 21.7% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 571 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,917 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $2,608,000 after acquiring an additional 537 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its position in ESCO Technologies by 340.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $5,728,000 after acquiring an additional 34,340 shares during the last quarter. First National Bank of Omaha boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 25.8% during the third quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 5,343 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $689,000 after acquiring an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Finally, Dean Investment Associates LLC grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 25.1% in the third quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC now owns 38,569 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $4,975,000 after purchasing an additional 7,727 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

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.