Loomis Sayles & Co. L P Purchases 13,894 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 438,536 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 13,894 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P owned approximately 1.70% of ESCO Technologies worth $56,563,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ESE. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at about $50,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 17.9% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of ESE stock traded down $2.56 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $148.82. 125,459 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 126,813. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.69 and a twelve month high of $154.00. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $131.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $119.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a PE ratio of 38.50 and a beta of 1.08.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.12%.

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.