Intech Investment Management LLC Acquires 3,583 Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 183.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,534 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,583 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $714,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 930 shares in the last quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 4.4% in the 2nd 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 buying an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $476,000. Diversified Trust Co increased its stake in ESCO Technologies by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 11,231 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,180,000 after buying an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $248,000. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of ESE stock opened at $148.81 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $133.54 and a 200-day moving average of $120.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $96.69 and a 12-month high of $154.00. The firm has a market cap of $3.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.77 and a beta of 1.08.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ESE has been the subject of several analyst reports. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday.

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.