Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 152.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 380,104 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 229,601 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP owned about 1.47% of ESCO Technologies worth $50,634,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 5.3% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 31.9% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 32,901 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $4,244,000 after purchasing an additional 7,951 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 4.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $135,950,000 after purchasing an additional 49,577 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 378.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 447 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 125,266 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $16,687,000 after purchasing an additional 3,562 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.
ESCO Technologies Price Performance
Shares of ESE stock traded down $4.49 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $147.43. 16,421 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 127,932. The company has a market capitalization of $3.80 billion, a PE ratio of 34.72 and a beta of 1.07. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $97.11 and a 12-month high of $171.28. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $156.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.34. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.
ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current year.
ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.51%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of brokerages have weighed in on ESE. StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Benchmark lifted their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.
Get Our Latest Analysis on ESE
ESCO Technologies Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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.
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