ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Upgraded by StockNews.com to “Buy” Rating

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports 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. Stephens boosted their price target on ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:ESE traded up $1.25 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $145.55. The company had a trading volume of 148,427 shares, compared to its average volume of 126,530. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $127.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $117.59. The stock has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a PE ratio of 36.94 and a beta of 1.08. ESCO Technologies has a 1-year low of $96.69 and a 1-year high of $154.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESCO Technologies

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ESE. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 7.4% in the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 5,168 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System grew its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 56.5% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 11,440 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,225,000 after purchasing an additional 4,130 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2.3% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 12,918 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $1,383,000 after buying an additional 287 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 0.5% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,895,420 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $309,955,000 after buying an additional 15,801 shares during the period. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. boosted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies by 272.7% in the first quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 19,794 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $2,119,000 after buying an additional 14,483 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.70% of the company’s stock.

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.