Nebula Research & Development LLC Cuts Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Nebula Research & Development LLC decreased its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 12.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,073 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 900 shares during the period. Nebula Research & Development LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $809,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of ESE. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 22,903 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $3,051,000 after acquiring an additional 1,842 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 81.6% in the fourth quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 11,487 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,530,000 after purchasing an additional 5,160 shares during the period. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 11.5% during the 4th quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 13,531 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,802,000 after purchasing an additional 1,392 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,613 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $2,080,000 after buying an additional 668 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 91.8% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 33,783 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $4,500,000 after buying an additional 16,170 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of ESCO Technologies stock opened at $158.15 on Monday. 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 $101.32 and a 1 year high of $171.28. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $156.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $144.70. The firm has a market cap of $4.08 billion, a PE ratio of 37.12 and a beta of 1.07.

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 return on equity of 9.91% and a net margin of 10.44%. Equities analysts forecast that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ESE has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Benchmark raised their target price on 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 lowered ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued 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.