Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 23.0x · EV/EBITDA 28.3x · ROE 21.5%. (1996–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $6.9B | $5.5B | $3.3B | $2.7B | $1.9B | $2.0B | $2.1B | $2.1B | $1.8B | $1.6B | $1.2B |
| Enterprise Value | $7.0B | $5.6B | $3.4B | $2.8B | $2.0B | $2.1B | $2.1B | $2.3B | $2.0B | $1.8B | $1.3B |
| P/E Ratio → | 23.05 | 18.28 | 32.74 | 29.17 | 23.24 | 31.82 | 91.55 | 25.58 | 19.22 | 28.96 | 26.23 |
| P/S Ratio | 6.30 | 4.99 | 3.63 | 3.16 | 2.23 | 2.82 | 2.88 | 2.86 | 2.59 | 2.27 | 2.11 |
| P/B Ratio | 4.48 | 3.55 | 2.70 | 2.39 | 1.83 | 1.98 | 2.20 | 2.51 | 2.34 | 2.32 | 1.96 |
| P/FCF | 36.34 | 28.82 | 38.20 | 57.56 | 21.21 | 23.04 | 51.17 | 28.62 | 25.91 | 54.47 | 23.47 |
| P/OCF | 28.50 | 22.61 | 26.16 | 35.15 | 14.15 | 16.40 | 25.59 | 19.75 | 19.01 | 23.14 | 16.32 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 5.11 | 3.73 | 3.27 | 2.33 | 3.00 | 2.92 | 3.17 | 2.87 | 2.61 | 2.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.31 | 22.56 | 17.16 | 16.62 | 12.52 | 17.29 | 25.24 | 16.11 | 15.42 | 15.38 | 12.48 |
| EV / EBIT | 40.58 | 32.87 | 23.45 | 23.50 | 17.92 | 25.87 | 49.43 | 21.71 | 21.84 | 21.10 | 18.09 |
| EV / FCF | — | 29.50 | 39.24 | 59.61 | 22.10 | 24.47 | 51.81 | 31.72 | 28.68 | 62.49 | 24.57 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 42.1% | 42.1% | 42.3% | 41.3% | 38.7% | 37.8% | 37.3% | 39.7% | 38.6% | 36.3% | 38.6% |
| Operating Margin | 15.8% | 15.8% | 16.1% | 14.1% | 12.9% | 11.5% | — | 14.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% | 13.6% |
| Net Profit Margin | 27.3% | 27.3% | 11.1% | 10.8% | 9.6% | 8.9% | 13.6% | 11.2% | 13.5% | 7.8% | 8.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 21.5% | 21.5% | 8.6% | 8.5% | 8.0% | 6.4% | 11.1% | 10.2% | 12.9% | 8.3% | 7.7% |
| ROA | 14.1% | 14.1% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.1% | 4.3% | 7.0% | 5.9% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 5.0% |
| ROIC | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 7.7% | 7.3% | 5.8% | — | 8.0% | 7.6% | 8.0% | 9.2% |
| ROCE | 10.2% | 10.2% | 10.3% | 8.9% | 8.4% | 6.8% | — | 9.4% | 8.8% | 8.9% | 10.1% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.12 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.08 | 0.35 | 0.29 | 0.41 | 0.18 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 0.93 | 0.93 | 0.79 | 0.82 | 1.12 | 1.47 | 0.94 | 2.00 | 1.73 | 2.36 | 1.09 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.03 | 0.27 | 0.25 | 0.34 | 0.09 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.45 | 0.57 | 0.50 | 1.01 | 0.31 | 1.57 | 1.49 | 1.97 | 0.56 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 0.68 | 1.04 | 2.06 | 0.89 | 1.44 | 0.65 | 3.09 | 2.77 | 8.02 | 1.09 |
| Interest Coverage | 9.73 | 9.73 | 9.59 | 13.59 | 22.94 | 36.77 | 6.41 | 13.10 | 10.22 | 18.51 | 53.31 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.91 | 1.85 | 1.80 | 1.70 | 1.74 | 1.97 | 1.97 | 2.01 | 2.05 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.93 | 0.93 | 1.35 | 1.26 | 1.29 | 1.16 | 1.21 | 1.46 | 1.30 | 1.38 | 1.38 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.13 | 0.31 | 0.20 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 0.15 | 0.23 | 0.34 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 0.45 | 0.50 | 0.51 | 0.52 | 0.45 | 0.53 | 0.50 | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.58 |
| Inventory Turnover | 2.91 | 2.91 | 2.71 | 2.73 | 3.24 | 3.02 | 3.39 | 3.40 | 3.10 | 3.51 | 3.32 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 114.72 | 114.69 | 143.81 | 123.35 | 122.50 | 119.12 | 135.20 | 115.74 | 110.64 | 95.96 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.7% |
| Payout Ratio | 2.8% | 2.8% | 8.1% | 8.9% | 10.0% | 13.1% | 8.4% | 10.2% | 9.0% | 15.4% | 18.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 4.3% | 5.5% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 4.3% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 3.9% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 3.8% |
| FCF Yield | 2.8% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 4.7% | 4.3% | 2.0% | 3.5% | 3.9% | 1.8% | 4.3% |
| Buyback Yield | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.4% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M | $26M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 30 years · Updated daily
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Quick answers to the most common questions about buying ESE stock.
ESCO Technologies Inc.'s current P/E ratio is 23.0x. The historical average is 24.4x. This places it at the 50th percentile of its historical range.
ESCO Technologies Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 28.3x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 13.0x.
ESCO Technologies Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) is 21.5%. This is above the typical threshold of 15-20% considered good for most companies. The historical average is 8.1%.
Based on historical data, ESCO Technologies Inc. is trading at a P/E of 23.0x. This is at the 50th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
ESCO Technologies Inc.'s current dividend yield is 0.12% with a payout ratio of 2.8%.
ESCO Technologies Inc. has 42.1% gross margin and 15.8% operating margin. Operating margin between 10-20% is typical for established companies.
ESCO Technologies Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 0.9x, indicating low leverage. A ratio below 2x is generally considered financially healthy.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Net margin sustainability concerns
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Premium Pricing for Niche Portfolio
ESE trades at 26.5x trailing earnings and 32.5x EV/EBITDA, a premium to peers like Itron and Badger Meter, reflecting its specialized defense and utility niches, as per current market data.
The forward P/E of 37.3x implies the market expects significant earnings growth, yet the PEG of 0.39 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to that growth. However, the EV/EBITDA multiple of 32.5x is nearly double that of Itron and Badger Meter, indicating the market already prices in a high-quality, moat-driven business. The valuation appears to embed a 'conglomerate discount' for the RF Shielding segment, but the premium for A&D and USG may be justified by their recurring revenue and high switching costs.
Margin Stability Amid Mix Shifts
Gross margin held near 42% in Q3 FY2026, up from 41.2% a year earlier, while operating margin expanded 90 bps to 12.1%, per the latest quarterly data, indicating pricing power.
The stability in gross margin despite a higher mix of project-based RF Shielding revenue suggests the company is successfully managing input costs and product mix. Operating margin of 12.1% in Q3 FY2026 is below the 15.8% TTM average, reflecting quarterly volatility, but the 90 bps year-over-year expansion indicates operational leverage. The persistent gap between net margin (9.7% in Q3) and operating margin (12.1%) is a red flag, as the 62% net margin in Q4 FY2025 was clearly non-recurring, and investors should focus on operating margin as the true earnings power.
ROIC Recovery Post-Acquisition
ROIC improved to 2.8% in Q4 FY2025 from 1.6% in Q1 FY2025, but remains below the 5-10% range typical for industrial peers, per the quarterly ratio data.
The sharp decline in ROIC from 2.9% in Q4 FY2024 to 1.6% in Q1 FY2025 coincides with the $472M acquisition in Q3 FY2025, which temporarily depressed returns. The subsequent recovery to 2.8% in Q4 FY2025 suggests the acquisition is beginning to contribute, but ROIC remains low relative to peers like Badger Meter (34.5%) and Curtiss-Wright (14.1%). This may indicate that the company's capital allocation is not yet generating adequate returns on invested capital, though the low debt levels and high margins suggest potential for improvement as the acquisition integrates.
Working Capital Drag Intensifies
Cash conversion cycle lengthened to 143 days in Q3 FY2026 from 150 days a year earlier, driven by DSO of 84 days and DIO of 110 days, per the quarterly data.
The CCC has been volatile, peaking at 226 days in Q1 FY2025 and improving to 143 days in Q3 FY2026, but it remains elevated compared to peers. DSO of 84 days is high, suggesting slow collections, possibly due to government contracts, while DIO of 110 days indicates significant inventory buildup, likely for defense programs. The improvement from 182 days in Q3 FY2025 to 143 days is positive, but the company still ties up substantial cash in working capital, which may explain the lumpy free cash flow. Investors should monitor whether the deferred revenue growth (168% increase) is offsetting these working capital needs.
Deleveraging Accelerates Post-Spike
Debt-to-equity fell to 0.08 in Q3 FY2026 from 0.43 a year earlier, with D/EBITDA at 2.6x, indicating rapid deleveraging after the acquisition, per the balance sheet data.
The company took on significant debt to fund the $472M acquisition in Q3 FY2025, pushing D/EBITDA to 8.91x, but has since reduced it to 2.6x, a level that is comfortable for its cash flow. Interest coverage of 5.7x in Q3 FY2026 is lower than the 19.3x in Q2 FY2026, but still adequate. The rapid deleveraging suggests strong free cash flow generation, but the low debt levels also mean the company has limited financial leverage to boost returns. The balance sheet appears healthy, but the recent spike in leverage highlights the risk of future acquisitions.
Liquidity Cushion Thins
Current ratio fell to 1.38 in Q3 FY2026 from 2.15 in Q2 FY2024, with quick ratio at 0.94, indicating a tighter liquidity position, per the quarterly balance sheet data.
The current ratio has declined steadily over the past two years, and the quick ratio below 1.0 suggests that ESE may struggle to cover short-term liabilities without selling inventory. This is partly due to the acquisition and increased working capital needs, but the company still has $73.2M in cash and strong cash flow generation. The deferred revenue of $288.1M provides some cushion, but the thinning liquidity buffer warrants monitoring, especially if the company pursues further acquisitions. Under a severe stress scenario, the low debt levels provide flexibility, but the current ratio suggests limited headroom.
Misapplied Net Margin Metric
The most misapplied ratio for ESE is net margin, which is distorted by one-time gains; operating margin of 15.8% TTM better reflects core profitability, per the income statement data.
Analysts often use net margin to compare ESE to peers, but the 27.3% TTM net margin is inflated by a $218.7M one-time gain in Q4 FY2025, which is not indicative of ongoing operations. Operating margin of 15.8% is a more reliable measure of earning power, but even that is affected by amortization of intangibles from acquisitions. Investors should adjust for non-recurring items and use a normalized operating margin, or EV/EBITDA, to assess valuation. The company's true profitability is better captured by its gross margin of 42% and the recurring nature of its defense and utility revenue.