Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Raises Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 378.8% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 565 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 447 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $75,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 21.7% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 571 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $76,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 6,779 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $903,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew 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 worth $320,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP raised its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 1,958 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE ESE opened at $161.65 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.17 billion, a PE ratio of 37.94 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $145.26 and a 200-day moving average of $136.27. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $97.11 and a 52-week high of $171.28.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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, analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 7.51%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ESE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $175.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com lowered ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Benchmark upped 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.

ESCO Technologies 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.