2,527 Shares in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Purchased by Advisors Asset Management Inc.

Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 2,527 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $326,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Moody National Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 4.4% during 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 acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.8% in 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 purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in 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 worth $60,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its position in 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. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stephens lifted their price target 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 reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded ESCO Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of ESE stock opened at $148.09 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $133.06 and its 200 day moving average is $119.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a market cap of $3.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.59 and a beta of 1.08. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.69 and a 52-week high of $154.00.

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 given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is 8.12%.

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.