Numerai GP LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Numerai GP LLC lowered its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE - Free Report) by 69.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,505 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 5,768 shares during the period. Numerai GP LLC's holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $334,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Pitcairn Co. grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 3,479 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $463,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 2,919 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $389,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,206 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 6,779 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $903,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP grew its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 6.9% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 1,958 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $261,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ESE shares. Benchmark upped their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $175.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of ESCO Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, March 21st.

ESCO Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE:ESE traded down $0.29 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $183.27. 94,425 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 131,988. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $101.42 and a 1-year high of $185.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.02 and a beta of 1.19. 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $159.37 and a 200 day moving average of $149.54.

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $265.52 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $264.96 million. ESCO Technologies had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 9.91%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that ESCO Technologies Inc. will post 5.65 EPS for the current year.

ESCO Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.17%. ESCO Technologies's payout ratio is currently 7.02%.

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.