ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Short Interest Up 23.9% in March

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 208,500 shares, a growth of 23.9% from the February 28th total of 168,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 136,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Currently, 0.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

ESCO Technologies Trading Down 0.4 %

ESCO Technologies stock traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $158.52. 153,832 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 127,300. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $154.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $141.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.21 and a beta of 1.11. ESCO Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $97.11 and a fifty-two week high of $171.28.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) 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 anticipate that ESCO Technologies will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current 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. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is presently 7.51%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cerity Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 55.8% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,516 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 4,125 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake 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 valued at $320,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in 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 buying an additional 7,963 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 31.9% during the 3rd 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 last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,054,039 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $135,950,000 after acquiring an additional 49,577 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ESE shares. Benchmark raised their price target on ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. 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. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st.

About ESCO Technologies

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.