ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Hits New 12-Month High - Should You Buy?

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $131.22 and last traded at $131.22, with a volume of 2245 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $130.00.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Monday, October 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Stephens upped their price target on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a PE ratio of 34.14 and a beta of 1.08. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $122.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $113.97.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.03). ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 9.95% and a return on equity of 8.82%. The company had revenue of $260.78 million for the quarter. On average, equities analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 4.15 earnings per share for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 2nd were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.25%. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 8.40%.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. Select Equity Group L.P. grew its position in 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 period. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $15,632,000. Tributary Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $12,377,000. F M Investments LLC acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter valued at approximately $9,455,000. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 6.1% in the first quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,215,101 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $130,077,000 after acquiring an additional 69,500 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

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.