Intech Investment Management LLC Boosts Stock Position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Intech Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 183.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,534 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,583 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC's holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $714,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ESE. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.2% in the second 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. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $135,138,000 after purchasing an additional 18,676 shares during the period. Select Equity Group L.P. raised its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 277.5% during the 2nd quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 395,460 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $41,539,000 after buying an additional 290,711 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 18.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 283,266 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $29,754,000 after buying an additional 43,907 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 223,444 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $23,471,000 after buying an additional 12,385 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESCO Technologies stock traded up $0.32 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $148.41. The stock had a trading volume of 54,872 shares, compared to its average volume of 126,315. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $154.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.67 and a beta of 1.08. The stock's fifty day moving average is $133.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $120.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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.