ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Stock Rating Upgraded by StockNews.com

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report released on Friday.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Friday, November 15th. Stephens boosted their price objective on shares of 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 Stock Down 1.7 %

Shares of ESCO Technologies stock traded down $2.42 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $139.97. 105,951 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 124,336. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. ESCO Technologies has a 52 week low of $96.69 and a 52 week high of $154.00. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $136.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $122.51. The company has a market cap of $3.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.53 and a beta of 1.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings 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 valued at $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 4,125 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $9,079,000 after acquiring an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,372,850 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $144,204,000 after acquiring an additional 16,152 shares in the last quarter. Premier Fund Managers Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $942,000. Finally, Creative Planning increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 53.1% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,682,000 after purchasing an additional 4,526 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.

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