Tributary Capital Management LLC Purchases 40,268 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Tributary Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 28.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 180,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 40,268 shares during the quarter. ESCO Technologies comprises approximately 1.8% of Tributary Capital Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Tributary Capital Management LLC owned 0.70% of ESCO Technologies worth $23,262,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter valued at $36,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 17.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 1st quarter worth about $126,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on ESE. Stephens lifted their price target 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 began coverage on ESCO Technologies in a research report on Monday, October 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $150.00 price target for the company.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE ESE traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $130.07. The company's stock had a trading volume of 94,440 shares, compared to its average volume of 124,442. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $95.54 and a 12 month high of $131.26. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $122.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.97. The company has a market cap of $3.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.14 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.39.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.03). ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 8.82% and a net margin of 9.95%. The business had revenue of $260.78 million during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 4.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

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

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.