ESCO Technologies Inc. $ESE Stock: Royce & Associates LP Increases Position

Royce & Associates LP grew its stake in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 8.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 283,203 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 21,039 shares during the period. ESCO Technologies makes up approximately 0.7% of Royce & Associates LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Royce & Associates LP’s holdings in ESCO Technologies were worth $75,080,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ESCO Technologies during the second quarter worth $27,000. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, State of Wyoming acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank restated a “buy” rating and set a $413.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a research report on Monday, August 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of ESCO Technologies from $420.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of ESCO Technologies from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ESCO Technologies currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $381.50.

ESCO Technologies Price Performance

ESE stock traded down $3.70 on Friday, reaching $231.61. 200,650 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 257,452. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $253.90 and a 200-day moving average of $286.97. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $193.68 and a twelve month high of $362.15. The firm has a market cap of $6.00 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

ESCO Technologies Profile

ESCO Technologies Inc. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered products and services for utility, aerospace and defense, and commercial markets. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company serves customers in the United States and internationally. Its Utility Solutions businesses provide equipment and services used to inspect, monitor, and maintain electric power systems, including diagnostic testing and condition-assessment solutions for utility infrastructure. Its Aerospace & Defense businesses supply specialized components and systems, such as precision valves, filtration products, and communication and antenna technologies.