ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) Short Interest Up 85.7% in August

Key Points

• Short interest in ESCO Technologies increased by 85.7% in August, totaling 584,900 shares as of August 31st, with a days-to-cover ratio of 2.8 days.
• The company missed earnings estimates for the latest quarter, reporting $1.60 EPS, which was $0.05 below analysts' forecasts, alongside a revenue of $296.34 million.
• ESCO Technologies announced a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, with a payout ratio of 7.21%, to be paid on October 16th.

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 584,900 shares, an increase of 85.7% from the August 15th total of 315,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 208,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Currently, 2.3% of the company's stock are short sold. Currently, 2.3% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 208,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $187.50.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 1st quarter worth $35,000. CX Institutional purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at about $38,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

ESCO Technologies stock traded down $2.02 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $208.30. 111,337 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 229,248. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.91 and a beta of 1.25. The business has a 50 day moving average of $194.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $177.96. ESCO Technologies has a 12 month low of $118.95 and a 12 month high of $211.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.65 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $296.34 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $320.23 million. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 11.19%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.16 EPS. ESCO Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.750-5.900 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 2.040-2.190 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that ESCO Technologies will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 2nd. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 7.21%.

ESCO Technologies Company 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.

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