ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Shares Acquired by Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 2.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 306,077 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 6,203 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 1.19% of ESCO Technologies worth $40,773,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $9,079,000 after purchasing an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 14.4% in the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 17,275 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,228,000 after buying an additional 2,168 shares during the period. Lindenwold Advisors INC purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the third quarter worth about $226,000. Premier Fund Managers Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the third quarter worth about $942,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the third quarter worth about $326,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Benchmark boosted their price target on ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

NYSE:ESE opened at $160.71 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $147.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.51. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $97.11 and a 12 month high of $171.28. The firm has a market cap of $4.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.72 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 9.91% and a net margin of 10.44%. On average, analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.51%.

ESCO Technologies Company 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.