Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) Shares Acquired by Blue Trust Inc.

Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 1,016.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 201 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $44,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BMI. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in Badger Meter by 2,633.3% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 492 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $80,000 after buying an additional 474 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Badger Meter by 46.3% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 499 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its position in Badger Meter by 40.9% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 575 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Annex Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the third quarter worth approximately $204,000. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the first quarter worth approximately $205,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.01% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Price Performance

Badger Meter stock opened at $201.90 on Friday. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 1-year low of $137.96 and a 1-year high of $230.76. The company has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a PE ratio of 50.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.77. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $210.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $197.69.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by ($0.03). Badger Meter had a net margin of 14.80% and a return on equity of 21.56%. The business had revenue of $208.44 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $212.08 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Friday, August 23rd were paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 23rd. This is an increase from Badger Meter’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.67%. Badger Meter’s payout ratio is 33.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BMI has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Badger Meter from $189.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Argus boosted their target price on Badger Meter from $204.00 to $218.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Maxim Group boosted their target price on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. StockNews.com lowered Badger Meter from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Badger Meter from $184.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Badger Meter currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $214.75.

Insider Activity at Badger Meter

In other Badger Meter news, VP Kimberly K. Stoll sold 1,097 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.00, for a total transaction of $224,885.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,861 shares in the company, valued at approximately $791,505. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Profile

Badger Meter, Inc manufactures and markets flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions worldwide. It offers mechanical or static water meters, and related radio and software technologies and services to municipal water utilities market. The company also provides flow instrumentation products, including meters, valves, and other sensing instruments to measure and control fluids going through a pipe or pipeline, including water, air, steam, and other liquids and gases to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers' representatives.