Benchmark Raises ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Price Target to $190.00

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) had its price objective raised by analysts at Benchmark from $150.00 to $190.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock. Benchmark’s price target indicates a potential upside of 14.38% from the company’s previous close.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 20th.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE ESE traded up $3.45 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $166.11. The stock had a trading volume of 68,319 shares, compared to its average volume of 101,563. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $136.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $129.99. The company has a market capitalization of $4.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.91 and a beta of 1.13. ESCO Technologies has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $166.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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%. On average, analysts predict that ESCO Technologies will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 3,391 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 307 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 53.1% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,682,000 after acquiring an additional 4,526 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP acquired a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $236,000. Finally, Stonegate Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the third quarter worth $207,000. 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.