ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Upgraded by StockNews.com to “Buy” Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday.

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

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE:ESE opened at $132.40 on Thursday. 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 company’s fifty day moving average price is $140.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $126.37. ESCO Technologies has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $154.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.60 and a beta of 1.11.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 20.9% during the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake 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 valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth about $207,000. Finally, Lindenwold Advisors INC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $226,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

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.