Stonegate Investment Group LLC Raises Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Stonegate Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 8.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,743 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 55.8% during the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,516 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,485,000 after acquiring an additional 4,125 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its position in ESCO Technologies by 9.1% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,387 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $9,079,000 after buying an additional 5,874 shares during the last quarter. Premier Fund Managers Ltd bought a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the third quarter valued at $942,000. Creative Planning lifted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 53.1% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,043 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,682,000 after buying an additional 4,526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $320,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.2 %

ESE stock opened at $131.13 on Thursday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $154.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company’s 50 day moving average is $137.80 and its 200 day moving average is $129.12. The stock has a market cap of $3.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.28 and a beta of 1.13.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is currently 8.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ESE. StockNews.com upgraded ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 20th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $150.00 price target 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.