ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Sets New 1-Year High - Here's What Happened

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $154.00 and last traded at $150.00, with a volume of 35644 shares. The stock had previously closed at $140.00.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on ESE shares. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday. Stephens increased their target price on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $127.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $117.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.38 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.39.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 8.29%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ESE. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth about $50,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 17.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EntryPoint Capital LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2,178.3% in the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 1,572 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $168,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares during the last quarter. 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.