Blue Trust Inc. Trims Stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Blue Trust Inc. cut its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 84.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 582 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 3,074 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $75,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:ESE opened at $129.43 on Thursday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.13 and a fifty-two week high of $131.26. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $122.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $114.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a market cap of $3.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.00 and a beta of 1.08.

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

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Investors 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 of this dividend was Wednesday, October 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stephens boosted their price target 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. Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Monday, October 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock.

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.