ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Cut to “Hold” at StockNews.com

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. 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 raised their price target 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

Shares of ESE stock opened at $131.53 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $139.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $125.40. ESCO Technologies has a 52-week low of $96.69 and a 52-week 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 firm has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.38 and a beta of 1.11.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,917 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,608,000 after purchasing an additional 537 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 340.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,413 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $5,728,000 after purchasing an additional 34,340 shares in the last quarter. First National Bank of Omaha increased its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 25.8% during the third quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 5,343 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $689,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Dean Investment Associates LLC raised its stake in ESCO Technologies by 25.1% in the third quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC now owns 38,569 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $4,975,000 after buying an additional 7,727 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 31.9% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 32,901 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $4,244,000 after buying an additional 7,951 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.