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Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE) Fundamental Analysis & AI Grade 2026

ESE NYSE Communications Equipment, NEC MO CIK: 0000866706
Updated This Month • Analysis: May 12, 2026 • SEC Data: 2026-03-31
Combined AI Grade
B
72% Confidence
STRONG AGREEMENT
B
65% Conf
B
78% Conf

📊 ESE Key Takeaways

Revenue: $599.0M
Net Margin: 10.6%
Free Cash Flow: $62.1M
Current Ratio: 1.45x
Debt/Equity: 0.09x
EPS: $2.45
AI Grade: B with 65% confidence
Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE) receives a B fundamental grade with 72% confidence from our AI analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $599.0M, net profit margin of 10.6%, and return on equity (ROE) of 4.0%, Esco Technologies Inc. demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Telecom sector. Below is our complete ESE stock analysis for 2026.

Is Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE) a Good Investment?

Claude

ESCO's exceptional revenue growth of +6358% appears acquisition-driven rather than organic, yet net income remained flat YoY, signaling integration challenges or margin compression. While the balance sheet remains fortress-like with minimal leverage and positive free cash flow, severely depressed returns on equity (4%) and assets (2.6%) indicate struggling capital efficiency.

ChatGPT

ESCO Technologies shows solid core fundamentals with healthy operating profitability, strong free cash flow generation, and a conservative balance sheet supported by low leverage and strong interest coverage. However, the reported revenue surge appears unusually distorted relative to flat net income and still-low ROE/ROA, which raises questions about growth quality and earnings conversion consistency. The company looks financially sound, but the mixed profitability signals support a neutral fundamental stance until cleaner trend confirmation emerges.

Esco Technologies Inc. Key Strengths (ESE)

Claude
  • + Fortress balance sheet with 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio and 27.5x interest coverage ratio, providing financial stability
  • + Consistent positive free cash flow generation of $62.1M with 10.4% FCF margin despite acquisition integration
  • + Low leverage with only $145M long-term debt against $1.6B stockholders equity, reducing financial risk
ChatGPT
  • + Strong free cash flow generation with a 21.7% FCF margin and modest capital expenditure needs
  • + Conservative balance sheet with low debt-to-equity of 0.09x and solid interest coverage of 13.3x
  • + Respectable operating profitability with a 13.2% operating margin and positive operating cash flow

ESE Stock Risks: Esco Technologies Inc. Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Massive revenue growth (+6358%) is acquisition-driven; flat net income growth YoY despite $599M revenue indicates margin compression or integration costs eroding profitability
  • ! Critically low ROE of 4% and ROA of 2.6% reveal severe capital deployment inefficiency and poor returns on acquired assets
  • ! Quick ratio of 0.98x below 1.0x threshold signals tight near-term liquidity; missing gross margin data obscures underlying operational health
ChatGPT
  • ! Revenue growth quality is questionable given the extreme reported YoY increase versus flat net income
  • ! Returns on capital remain weak, with ROE at 1.8% and ROA at 1.2%
  • ! Liquidity is adequate but not especially strong, with a 0.89x quick ratio

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Organic revenue growth separation from acquisition contributions; trajectory of operating margin expansion
  • * Return on equity and return on assets recovery as acquisition integrates and realizes synergies
  • * Operating cash flow sustainability and working capital changes to confirm profitability quality
ChatGPT
  • * Normalized revenue and net income growth across the next few filings
  • * ROE/ROA improvement alongside sustained free cash flow conversion

Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$599.0M
Net Income
$63.4M
EPS (Diluted)
$2.45
Free Cash Flow
$62.1M
Total Assets
$2.4B
Cash Position
$92.3M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

Esco Technologies Inc. presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

ESE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 13.2%
Net Margin 10.6%
ROE 4.0%
ROA 2.6%
FCF Margin 10.4%

ESE vs Telecom Sector: How Esco Technologies Inc. Compares

How Esco Technologies Inc. compares to Telecom sector averages

Net Margin
ESE 10.6%
vs
Sector Avg 14.0%
ESE Sector
ROE
ESE 4.0%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
ESE Sector
Current Ratio
ESE 1.5x
vs
Sector Avg 1.0x
ESE Sector
Debt/Equity
ESE 0.1x
vs
Sector Avg 1.2x
ESE Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Esco Technologies Inc. Stock Overvalued? ESE Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Esco Technologies Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Telecom sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
4.0%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
10.6%
Sector avg: 14%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.09x
Sector avg: 1.2x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

Esco Technologies Inc. Balance Sheet: ESE Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.45x
Quick Ratio
0.98x
Debt/Equity
0.09x
Debt/Assets
34.1%
Interest Coverage
27.55x
Long-term Debt
$145.0M

ESE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

ESE 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $730.5M, Net Income $81.0M, EPS $3.10. Year 2022: Revenue $857.5M, Net Income $99.4M, EPS $3.81. Year 2023: Revenue $956.0M, Net Income $63.5M, EPS $2.42. Year 2024: Revenue $1.0B, Net Income $82.3M, EPS $3.16. Year 2025: Revenue $1.1B, Net Income $92.5M, EPS $3.58.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Esco Technologies Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 50% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $3.58 reflects profitable operations.

ESE Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
10.4%
Free cash flow / Revenue

ESE Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Esco Technologies Inc. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q2 2026 $231.8M $31.0M $1.20
Q1 2026 $214.6M $23.5M $0.91
Q3 2025 $233.6M $26.1M $1.01
Q2 2025 $249.1M $23.2M $0.90
Q1 2025 $218.3M $15.2M $0.59
Q3 2024 $248.7M $27.9M $1.08
Q2 2024 $229.1M $17.9M $0.69
Q1 2024 $205.5M $14.7M $0.57

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Esco Technologies Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$75.3M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$8.0M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$13.1M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$4.1M
Returned to shareholders

ESE SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Esco Technologies Inc. (CIK: 0000866706)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Jun 3, 2026 8-K tm2616691d1_8k.htm View →
May 11, 2026 10-Q ese-20260331x10q.htm View →
May 7, 2026 8-K tm2613615d1_8k.htm View →
May 4, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4-05042026_040511.xml View →
Apr 20, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4-04202026_020446.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about ESE

What is the AI rating for ESE?

Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE) has a Combined AI Grade of B from Claude (B) and ChatGPT (B) with 72% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are ESE's key strengths?

Claude: Fortress balance sheet with 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio and 27.5x interest coverage ratio, providing financial stability. Consistent positive free cash flow generation of $62.1M with 10.4% FCF margin despite acquisition integration. ChatGPT: Strong free cash flow generation with a 21.7% FCF margin and modest capital expenditure needs. Conservative balance sheet with low debt-to-equity of 0.09x and solid interest coverage of 13.3x.

What are the risks of investing in ESE?

Claude: Massive revenue growth (+6358%) is acquisition-driven; flat net income growth YoY despite $599M revenue indicates margin compression or integration costs eroding profitability. Critically low ROE of 4% and ROA of 2.6% reveal severe capital deployment inefficiency and poor returns on acquired assets. ChatGPT: Revenue growth quality is questionable given the extreme reported YoY increase versus flat net income. Returns on capital remain weak, with ROE at 1.8% and ROA at 1.2%.

What is ESE's revenue and growth?

Esco Technologies Inc. reported revenue of $599.0M.

Does ESE pay dividends?

Esco Technologies Inc. pays dividends, with $4.1M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find ESE SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Esco Technologies Inc. (CIK: 0000866706) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is ESE's EPS?

Esco Technologies Inc. has a diluted EPS of $2.45.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

What is ESE's fundamental grade?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, Esco Technologies Inc. has a B grade with 72% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.

Is ESE stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for ESE: ROE of 4.0% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 10.6% (sector avg: 14%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

What is ESE's AI grade for 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Esco Technologies Inc. a combined B grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is ESE's free cash flow?

Esco Technologies Inc.'s operating cash flow is $75.3M, with capital expenditures of $13.1M. FCF margin is 10.4%.

How does ESE compare to other Telecom stocks?

Vs Telecom sector averages: Net margin 10.6% (avg: 14%), ROE 4.0% (avg: 15%), current ratio 1.45 (avg: 1).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: May 12, 2026 | Data as of: 2026-03-31 | Powered by Claude AI