Benchmark Raises ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Price Target to $190.00

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) had its price objective upped by Benchmark from $150.00 to $190.00 in a research report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. Benchmark currently has a buy rating on the scientific and technical instruments company's stock.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 20th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 2.2 %

NYSE:ESE traded down $3.65 on Tuesday, reaching $160.86. 58,093 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 104,495. The company has a market capitalization of $4.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.76 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. ESCO Technologies has a 12 month low of $97.11 and a 12 month high of $167.61. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $137.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.04.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.99%. Equities analysts predict that ESCO Technologies will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 7.51%.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $611,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $6,287,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 22,903 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $3,051,000 after buying an additional 1,842 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Group LLP grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 81.6% during the fourth quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 11,487 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,530,000 after buying an additional 5,160 shares during the period. Finally, State of Tennessee Department of Treasury grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 11.5% during the fourth quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 13,531 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,802,000 after buying an additional 1,392 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.