GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Lowers Stock Holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lowered its holdings in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 2.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 104,423 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 2,337 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. owned 0.40% of ESCO Technologies worth $13,910,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 43.0% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 469 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 990 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV boosted its position in ESCO Technologies by 67.5% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,169 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

ESCO Technologies Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of ESE opened at $133.42 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.86 and a beta of 1.13. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $96.69 and a one year high of $154.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.91. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $136.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $129.59.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.24%. ESCO Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ESE. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 15th. StockNews.com upgraded ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 20th.

ESCO Technologies 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.