Signaturefd LLC Acquires 150 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 17.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $128,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 4.4% in the second quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 2,827 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $297,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,222 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 43.0% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 13,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,366,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 12,918 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,383,000 after buying an additional 287 shares during the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ESE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Benchmark started coverage on ESCO Technologies in a report on Monday, October 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ESE opened at $129.96 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.14 and a beta of 1.08. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $95.54 and a one year high of $131.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $113.97. 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 (NYSE:ESE) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.03). ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 9.95% and a return on equity of 8.82%. The business had revenue of $260.78 million during the quarter. On average, analysts predict that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 4.15 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.40%.

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.