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

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued on Friday.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Benchmark raised their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.2 %

ESE opened at $161.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.35. ESCO Technologies has a 12 month low of $97.11 and a 12 month high of $171.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.84 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $149.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $138.51.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cerity Partners LLC lifted 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 in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of 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 worth $9,079,000 after purchasing an additional 5,874 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted 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 in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings 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 valued at $38,678,000 after buying an additional 7,963 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 31.9% during the third 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 in the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.