ESCO Technologies (NYSE: ESE) reported Q2 EPS of $0.68, $0.11 better than the analyst estimate of $0.57.

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The COVID-19 global pandemic has created significant and unprecedented challenges, and during these highly uncertain times, our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, customers and suppliers, thereby securing the financial well-being of the Company and supporting business continuity.

“Over the past few months, we have implemented significant actions in an effort to ensure our employees around the world have the necessary personal safety and protection measures in place to allow our businesses to continue operating with as little disruption as possible. Our businesses have been deemed essential and remain operational, supplying our customers with vital and necessary products.

“We are fortunate to have a deep and experienced leadership team that has managed through multiple downturns in the past. Coupled with our strong balance sheet and significant financial liquidity, I’m confident that we can effectively manage through this pandemic. ESCO has faced and overcome many challenges in our 30-year history and our goal is to emerge from this extraordinary challenge as an even stronger company.

“Given our diverse portfolio of strong, durable businesses serving non-discretionary end-markets, the strength and resilience of our business model positions us to continue to support our long-term outlook.

“We have taken decisive actions to enhance our strong financial condition, while continuing to execute our long-term strategy for profitable growth. Some of the actions we’ve taken to address expected business pressures over the balance of the year, include: deferring a portion of executive compensation; reducing discretionary spending; prioritizing / minimizing capital spending; implementing hiring and salary freezes; and, increasing our focus on optimizing free cash flow.

“These operational measures are prudent steps to maintain our solid liquidity and will support our financial flexibility as we work through near-term volatility. As of March 31, 2020, we had nearly $700 million of liquidity, with $100 million in cash, net debt of approximately $50 million, and a very conservative leverage ratio of 0.92x. Additionally, we have no debt maturities nor repayment obligations coming due and payable until September 2024.

“While we are pleased with the operating performance, cash flow, entered orders and backlog of our businesses year-to-date through March 31, 2020, given the extent of the uncertainty presented by this pandemic, we are withdrawing our full-year 2020 financial guidance.

“Everyone at ESCO, including our dedicated employees, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team have displayed an amazing amount of resilience and personal commitment to serve our customers through this difficult time. I want to thank everyone for the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice they have demonstrated while working through this fight to position ESCO for the future and to drive continued success.”

For earnings history and earnings-related data on ESCO Technologies (ESE) click here.