ESCO Technologies (ESE) vs Itron (ITRI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
ESCO Technologies (ESE) has outperformed Itron (ITRI) over the past year, gaining 22.8% versus a loss of 32.4%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +204.0% price change compared with +14.1% for ITRI. ESCO Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($6.66 billion vs $3.75 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Itron trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 27.8x for ESCO Technologies). ESCO Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.12%, while Itron does not currently pay one. ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% versus 12.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ESE | ITRI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $256.90 | $85.58 |
| Market cap | $6.66B | $3.75B |
| 1-day change | -4.22% | -3.18% |
| YTD return | +31.48% | -7.84% |
| 1-year return | +22.81% | -32.37% |
| 5-year return | +203.99% | +14.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 47.66 | 14.76 |
| Forward P/E | 27.85 | 12.23 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.39 | $5.80 |
| Dividend yield | 0.12% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.10B | $2.37B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.18% | -3.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $299.22M | $301.06M |
| Gross margin | 42.09% | 37.69% |
| Operating margin | 15.55% | 13.23% |
| Net margin | 27.32% | 12.72% |
| 52-week high | $362.15 | $142.00 |
| 52-week low | $193.68 | $77.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.06% | -39.73% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +52.10% | +51.39% |
| Average volume | 215.88K | 747.09K |
| Shares outstanding | 25.91M | 43.79M |
| Employees | 3,359 | 4,987 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Industrials |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Electrical Products |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ESE has outperformed ITRI by 55.2 percentage points over the past year.
- ESCO Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (47.7x vs 14.8x trailing P/E).
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.7 cents for Itron.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs -3.02%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: ESCO Technologies in Telecommunications and Itron in Industrials.
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 employees
About Itron
ITRI stock →Itron, Inc., a technology, solutions, and service company, provides end-to-end solutions that help manage energy, water, and smart city operations worldwide. It operates in four segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, Outcomes, and Resiliency Solution.
Industrials · Electrical Products · 4,987 employees
ESE vs ITRI FAQ
Which is bigger, ESCO Technologies or Itron?
ESCO Technologies (ESE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.66B compared with $3.75B for Itron (ITRI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESE or ITRI?
ESE returned +22.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -32.37% for ITRI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESE or ITRI?
ITRI has the lower trailing P/E at 14.8, versus 47.7 for ESE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESCO Technologies or Itron?
ESCO Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.12%, while Itron does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are ESCO Technologies and Itron in the same industry?
No. ESCO Technologies is in the Telecommunications sector, while Itron is in Industrials.