Man Group plc Invests $2.12 Million in ESCO Technologies Inc. $ESE

Key Points

• Man Group initiated a $2.12 million position in ESCO Technologies during the second quarter by purchasing 6,068 shares. Institutional investors collectively own 95.7% of the company.
• ESCO reported quarterly EPS of $2.20, beating estimates of $2.12, while revenue rose 14.4% year over year to $339.03 million. Management guided to fiscal 2026 EPS of $8.30–$8.40.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with the stock carrying an average “Buy” rating and a $416.50 price target. ESCO also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share.

Man Group plc bought a new position in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 6,068 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $2,124,000.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESE. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its stake in ESCO Technologies by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 3,397 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 9.7% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 677 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $132,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 3.7% in the third quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,678 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 3,774 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $737,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 1,675 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $327,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. 95.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESCO Technologies stock opened at $266.77 on Wednesday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $193.68 and a 52-week high of $362.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firm's fifty day moving average is $315.04 and its 200 day moving average is $302.71. The company has a market cap of $6.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.97, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.10.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.12 by $0.08. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 24.39% and a return on equity of 13.28%. The business had revenue of $339.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $341.40 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.60 EPS. The business's revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. ESCO Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.300-8.400 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.550-2.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 8.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 1st will be given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 1st. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. ESCO Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2.64%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy (a-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating and set a $413.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on ESCO Technologies in a report on Monday, June 15th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $420.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $416.50.

ESCO Technologies Company Profile

ESCO Technologies Inc is a diversified manufacturer of engineered products and systems designed to meet customers' critical performance requirements in the test, measurement, control, and filtration of data, fluids, and gases. The company serves a wide range of end markets, including commercial aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and communication network sectors. ESCO's solutions are tailored to environments where reliability, precision and regulatory compliance are paramount.

Operating through multiple business segments, ESCO Technologies delivers test and measurement instruments such as RF and microwave components, signal distribution systems, and integrated test enclosures that support defense and aerospace programs.

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