Citigroup Inc. Has $5.03 Million Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 46.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 39,013 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 12,461 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. owned about 0.15% of ESCO Technologies worth $5,032,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth $36,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth $50,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake 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 valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in ESCO Technologies by 17.9% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $205,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

NYSE:ESE opened at $148.74 on Tuesday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.69 and a 52-week high of $154.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.75 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $133.99 and a 200 day moving average of $120.76.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Stephens upped their price objective on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th.

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.