ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Hits New 12-Month High - Should You Buy?

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $196.13 and last traded at $196.11, with a volume of 68075 shares. The stock had previously closed at $193.11.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ESE has been the topic of several recent research reports. Benchmark upped their price target on ESCO Technologies from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen downgraded ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, March 21st.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 1.6%

The firm has a market cap of $5.06 billion, a PE ratio of 43.01 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $180.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $159.10.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.10. ESCO Technologies had a return on equity of 10.56% and a net margin of 11.01%. The firm had revenue of $265.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $264.96 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.09 EPS. The business's revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.16%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.02%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the second quarter valued at $38,000. Apeiron RIA LLC purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the first quarter valued at about $217,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the first quarter valued at about $1,225,000. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 8.1% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 20,352 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $3,238,000 after acquiring an additional 1,528 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 544.5% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 47,621 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $7,577,000 after acquiring an additional 40,232 shares during the period. 95.70% of the stock is 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.