ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Sold by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. cut its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 13.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,180 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 2,737 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $2,422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ESE. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 747.1% during the 4th 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 during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 378.8% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 21.7% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 571 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 287.5% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 775 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 2.7 %

NYSE:ESE opened at $150.94 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. The company has a market capitalization of $3.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.43 and a beta of 1.07. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $97.11 and a one year high of $171.28. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $157.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $142.79.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.21%. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on ESE. Benchmark lifted their target price on ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. StockNews.com lowered ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Thursday, February 27th.

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.