StockNews.com Upgrades ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) to Buy

StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Several other brokerages have also weighed in on ESE. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Stephens upped their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

NYSE ESE opened at $135.68 on Tuesday. ESCO Technologies has a twelve month low of $96.69 and a twelve month high of $154.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.50 billion, a PE ratio of 34.44 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $138.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $124.08.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.24%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 8.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $50,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of 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 valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth $205,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESCO Technologies Company Profile

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.