GAMMA Investing LLC Increases Position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 21.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 571 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 102 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $76,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 71 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $205,000. Stonegate Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Finally, Lindenwold Advisors INC bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the third quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on ESE shares. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th. StockNews.com raised shares of ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Stephens raised their price objective on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 2.6 %

Shares of ESE opened at $128.73 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.67 and a beta of 1.13. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.69 and a 1 year high of $154.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $140.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $126.70.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 8.12%.

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.