GAMMA Investing LLC Raises Stock Position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 18,682.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 107,247 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 106,676 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC owned 0.42% of ESCO Technologies worth $17,065,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 152.6% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 380,104 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $50,634,000 after buying an additional 229,601 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in ESCO Technologies by 12.9% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 68,852 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $9,172,000 after acquiring an additional 7,874 shares in the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in ESCO Technologies by 35.5% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 48,005 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $6,395,000 after acquiring an additional 12,577 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 7.8% in the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,861 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 240,952 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $32,097,000 after purchasing an additional 1,317 shares in the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

ESCO Technologies stock traded up $3.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $184.05. 116,143 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 133,177. The firm's fifty day moving average is $165.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $153.24. The company has a market capitalization of $4.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.20 and a beta of 1.22. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $101.42 and a fifty-two week high of $185.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.35.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $265.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $264.96 million. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.09 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ESE. Benchmark raised their price objective on ESCO Technologies from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen cut ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $175.00 price target on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th.

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.