ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans cut its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 4.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 22,531 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 1,069 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $2,367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 56.5% during the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 11,440 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,225,000 after purchasing an additional 4,130 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 48.9% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 23,703 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,537,000 after acquiring an additional 7,788 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $482,000. Tributary Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter worth approximately $12,377,000. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 291.2% during the first quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 17,684 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,893,000 after purchasing an additional 13,164 shares in the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Stephens raised their price objective on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE ESE opened at $128.98 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $3.32 billion, a PE ratio of 33.67 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $94.59 and a 12-month high of $130.89. The company has a 50-day moving average of $119.51 and a 200 day moving average of $110.74.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.03). ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 9.95% and a return on equity of 8.82%. The firm had revenue of $260.78 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict 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 will be paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.25%. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.