ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Benchmark Analyst Says

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) had its price target increased by Benchmark from $190.00 to $200.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. Benchmark currently has a buy rating on the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on ESE. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, March 21st.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of ESE opened at $175.07 on Friday. ESCO Technologies has a 12 month low of $101.42 and a 12 month high of $179.42. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firm has a market cap of $4.52 billion, a PE ratio of 41.10 and a beta of 1.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $156.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $147.04.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $265.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $264.96 million. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.09 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that ESCO Technologies will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.51%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. CX Institutional acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 747.1% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

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.