Great Lakes Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 39,523 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $5,265,000. Great Lakes Advisors LLC owned 0.15% of ESCO Technologies at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ESE. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 worth $1,485,000 after buying an additional 4,125 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $9,079,000 after purchasing an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Premier Fund Managers Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the third quarter valued at about $942,000. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 5.3% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $320,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 299,874 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,678,000 after buying an additional 7,963 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.
ESCO Technologies Trading Up 2.5 %
Shares of NYSE ESE traded up $3.86 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $160.71. 141,800 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 117,676. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $97.11 and a 1 year high of $171.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.72 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50 day moving average of $147.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.09.
ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is 7.51%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th.
View Our Latest Report on ESE
ESCO Technologies Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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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