Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH Sells 36,130 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH reduced its position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 19.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 148,880 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 36,130 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH owned 0.58% of ESCO Technologies worth $19,832,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Select Equity Group L.P. increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 277.5% during the second quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 395,460 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $41,539,000 after acquiring an additional 290,711 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $19,412,000. State Street Corp raised its position in ESCO Technologies by 4.9% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $135,950,000 after purchasing an additional 49,577 shares during the period. Tributary Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in ESCO Technologies by 28.7% during the third quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 180,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $23,262,000 after purchasing an additional 40,268 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 340.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $5,728,000 after buying an additional 34,340 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Friday, November 15th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ESE traded up $0.10 during trading on Thursday, reaching $134.92. The company had a trading volume of 64,866 shares, compared to its average volume of 81,339. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.69 and a fifty-two week high of $154.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.24 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $139.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $128.35.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.24%. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 8.12%.

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.