GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Increases Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 0.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 106,760 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 624 shares during the quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. owned approximately 0.41% of ESCO Technologies worth $13,770,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Diversified Trust Co lifted its position in ESCO Technologies by 32.7% in the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 10,456 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,119,000 after acquiring an additional 2,575 shares during the last quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $12,377,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in ESCO Technologies by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 140,113 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $14,999,000 after buying an additional 1,515 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 48.9% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 23,703 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $2,537,000 after buying an additional 7,788 shares during the period. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $126,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

ESE traded up $1.16 during trading on Friday, hitting $130.00. The stock had a trading volume of 105,267 shares, compared to its average volume of 124,588. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.12 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 2.10. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $94.59 and a twelve month high of $130.89. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $122.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $113.83.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $260.78 million for the quarter. ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 8.82% and a net margin of 9.95%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 4.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 2nd were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Monday, October 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Stephens increased their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th.

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.