ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Bought by Creative Planning

Creative Planning boosted its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 53.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,526 shares during the period. Creative Planning owned about 0.05% of ESCO Technologies worth $1,682,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth about $50,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in 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. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the first quarter worth about $126,000. Finally, EntryPoint Capital LLC grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 2,178.3% during the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 1,572 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $168,000 after buying an additional 1,503 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Benchmark assumed 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 shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of ESE traded up $0.55 on Wednesday, hitting $129.43. 71,853 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 124,411. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.00 and a beta of 1.08. The stock's 50 day moving average is $122.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $114.35. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.13 and a 1 year high of $131.26.

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

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

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

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.