Enhancing Capital LLC Invests $439,000 in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Enhancing Capital LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESEFree Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 3,293 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $439,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $9,079,000 after buying an additional 5,874 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 17,275 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $2,228,000 after acquiring an additional 2,168 shares during the period. Lindenwold Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $226,000. Premier Fund Managers Ltd bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $942,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the third quarter valued at approximately $326,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 2.7 %

Shares of NYSE:ESE opened at $155.57 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 2.04. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $97.11 and a 52-week high of $171.28. The company has a market capitalization of $4.01 billion, a PE ratio of 36.52 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a fifty day moving average of $148.79 and a 200-day moving average of $138.19.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESEGet Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 9.91% and a net margin of 10.44%. On average, equities analysts predict that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.21%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on ESE shares. StockNews.com raised ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Benchmark lifted their target price on 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 reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th.

Get Our Latest Stock Report 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.

See Also

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Institutional Ownership by Quarter for ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE)

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