Creative Planning Has $1.68 Million Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Creative Planning grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 53.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,526 shares during the quarter. Creative Planning owned about 0.05% of ESCO Technologies worth $1,682,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Select Equity Group L.P. boosted its stake in ESCO Technologies by 277.5% during the 2nd quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 395,460 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $41,539,000 after purchasing an additional 290,711 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $15,632,000. F M Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter worth $9,455,000. Champlain Investment Partners LLC increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 6.1% during the first quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,215,101 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $130,077,000 after acquiring an additional 69,500 shares during the period. Finally, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 35.5% during the second quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 185,850 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $19,522,000 after acquiring an additional 48,693 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ESE opened at $128.95 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $122.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $114.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.83 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.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last announced its quarterly 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). 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. Sell-side analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 4.15 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 2nd were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.25%. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 8.40%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

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.