ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Time to Sell?

Shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $152.92 and last traded at $156.94, with a volume of 153944 shares. The stock had previously closed at $157.58.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ESE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $175.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $156.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $145.87. The company has a market cap of $4.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.66 and a beta of 1.07.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.34. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd were issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.19%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.51%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. CX Institutional acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 747.1% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company's stock.

About ESCO Technologies

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.