ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Short Interest Update

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 287,400 shares, an increase of 5.5% from the November 30th total of 272,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 111,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days. Approximately 1.1% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities 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 report on Friday, September 27th. StockNews.com downgraded ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Friday, November 15th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESE stock traded down $0.08 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $133.21. The company's stock had a trading volume of 41,961 shares, compared to its average volume of 123,165. The company's fifty day moving average is $139.63 and its 200-day moving average is $125.36. ESCO Technologies has a 1 year low of $96.69 and a 1 year high of $154.00. The company has a market capitalization of $3.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.81 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 20.9% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in 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 in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter valued at about $205,000. Finally, Stonegate Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the third quarter valued at about $207,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.