Cerity Partners LLC Raises Stock Position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 55.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,516 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 4,125 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $1,485,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 20,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,179,000 after purchasing an additional 930 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $476,000. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 7.4% in the second quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 11,231 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,180,000 after acquiring an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter valued at $248,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter worth approximately $391,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESE stock opened at $146.64 on Wednesday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $96.69 and a 12 month high of $154.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $134.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $121.02. The stock has a market cap of $3.78 billion, a PE ratio of 37.22 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 8.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ESE. Stephens upped their target price 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. StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th.

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.