ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Sold by Royce & Associates LP

Royce & Associates LP lowered its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 0.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 552,098 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 3,853 shares during the quarter. ESCO Technologies accounts for 0.7% of Royce & Associates LP’s holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Royce & Associates LP’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $73,545,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ESE. Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 55.8% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,516 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 4,125 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Premier Fund Managers Ltd acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $942,000. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 5.3% in the 3rd 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 299,874 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $38,678,000 after purchasing an additional 7,963 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESCO Technologies stock opened at $160.71 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.72 and a beta of 1.11. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $147.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $137.51. 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 1 year low of $97.11 and a 1 year high of $171.28.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.

ESCO Technologies 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.