ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Sets New 12-Month High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• ESCO Technologies' stock reached a new **52-week high** of **$205.51**, closing at **$204.49** with a trading volume of **21,107 shares**.
• Wall Street analysts have downgraded ESCO Technologies from a **"buy"** to a **"hold"** rating, with a consensus target price of **$187.50** and a current consensus rating of **"buy."**
• The company plans to distribute a quarterly dividend of **$0.08** per share on **October 16th**, representing a **0.2% dividend yield** and a payout ratio of **7.21%**.

ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $205.51 and last traded at $204.49, with a volume of 21107 shares. The stock had previously closed at $202.66.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $187.50.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 1.2%

The stock's fifty day moving average is $193.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $176.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.20 and a beta of 1.25.

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

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at $35,000. CX Institutional acquired a new stake in ESCO Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter valued at $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.

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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