ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Stock Has Consensus Price Target of $381.50

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) has earned an average rating of “Buy” from the five analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $381.50.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ESE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $420.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $413.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Monday, August 10th.

ESCO Technologies Trading Down 1.6%

ESCO Technologies stock traded down $3.70 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $231.61. 200,650 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 257,452. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $253.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $286.97. ESCO Technologies has a 12-month low of $193.68 and a 12-month high of $362.15. The firm has a market cap of $6.00 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Institutional Trading of ESCO Technologies

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First National Bank of Omaha boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 121.4% in the third quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 7,692 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,039,000 after purchasing an additional 4,218 shares during the period. FORA Capital LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth about $609,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1,610.4% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 75,840 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $20,106,000 after purchasing an additional 71,406 shares during the period. Southeast Asset Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth about $774,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $8,024,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

About ESCO Technologies

ESCO Technologies Inc. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered products and services for utility, aerospace and defense, and commercial markets. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company serves customers in the United States and internationally. Its Utility Solutions businesses provide equipment and services used to inspect, monitor, and maintain electric power systems, including diagnostic testing and condition-assessment solutions for utility infrastructure. Its Aerospace & Defense businesses supply specialized components and systems, such as precision valves, filtration products, and communication and antenna technologies.