ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Reaches New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• ESCO Technologies Inc. shares reached a new 52-week high of $212.63, marking significant trading activity, with the last price recorded at $211.93.
• Wall Street analysts recently downgraded the stock from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating, though the consensus still remains a "buy" with a target price of $187.50.
• The company reported Q3 earnings with $1.60 earnings per share, slightly below estimates, while year-over-year revenue increased by 13.6%.

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $212.63 and last traded at $211.93, with a volume of 6190 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $210.37.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $197.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $179.55. The company has a market capitalization of $5.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.87 and a beta of 1.25.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.65 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $296.34 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $320.23 million. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 11.19%. The business's revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.16 earnings per share. 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, analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. CX Institutional bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.