Benchmark Issues Positive Forecast for ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Stock Price

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) had its price objective boosted by Benchmark from $150.00 to $190.00 in a research note released on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. Benchmark currently has a buy rating on the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock.

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 20th.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSE:ESE opened at $165.19 on Tuesday. ESCO Technologies has a one year low of $96.69 and a one year high of $166.49. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $136.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.78 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last issued its quarterly 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 9.99% and a net margin of 10.44%. Sell-side analysts forecast that ESCO Technologies will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.19%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 7.51%.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 747.1% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of 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 worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 378.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 447 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.