Champlain Investment Partners LLC Has $162.95 Million Position in ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE)

Champlain Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) by 0.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,263,382 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after acquiring an additional 406 shares during the period. Champlain Investment Partners LLC owned 4.91% of ESCO Technologies worth $162,951,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in ESCO Technologies by 46.9% in the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 39,013 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $5,032,000 after acquiring an additional 12,461 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of ESCO Technologies by 2.7% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 299,874 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $38,678,000 after purchasing an additional 7,963 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ESCO Technologies by 183.6% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 5,534 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $714,000 after purchasing an additional 3,583 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its position in ESCO Technologies by 20.9% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 411 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in ESCO Technologies during the third quarter worth $326,000. 95.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESCO Technologies Stock Up 0.2 %

ESE opened at $148.82 on Friday. ESCO Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.69 and a fifty-two week high of $154.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.77 and a beta of 1.08. The company’s 50-day moving average is $130.39 and its 200 day moving average is $118.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.31.

ESCO Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.22%. ESCO Technologies’s payout ratio is presently 8.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on ESE shares. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of ESCO Technologies in a report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com raised ESCO Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th.

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.