ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Downgraded by StockNews.com to “Hold”

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

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Stephens increased their price objective 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 research note on Friday, November 15th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:ESE opened at $133.21 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.44 billion, a PE ratio of 33.81 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. ESCO Technologies has a 52-week low of $96.69 and a 52-week high of $154.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $139.63 and a 200 day moving average of $125.36.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 4,125 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $9,079,000 after purchasing an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,372,850 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $144,204,000 after purchasing an additional 16,152 shares during the period. Premier Fund Managers Ltd bought a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $942,000. Finally, Creative Planning lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 53.1% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,682,000 after buying an additional 4,526 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.