Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) Shares Sold by Swiss National Bank

Swiss National Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 1.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 57,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 800 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $10,844,000 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. raised its position in shares of Badger Meter by 162.5% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 147 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Badger Meter by 100.0% during the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 184 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its position in Badger Meter by 83.0% during the first quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 194 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the first quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.01% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Price Performance

Badger Meter stock opened at $186.83 on Friday. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12 month low of $162.17 and a 12 month high of $256.08. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $222.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $216.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.51 billion, a PE ratio of 40.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.84.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.02). Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.57% and a net margin of 15.53%. The company had revenue of $238.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $235.38 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.12 EPS. Badger Meter’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current year.

Badger Meter Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, August 22nd will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Badger Meter’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 22nd. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.63%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on BMI. Argus set a $240.00 price target on Badger Meter in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $224.00 price target on Badger Meter in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Badger Meter from $284.00 to $264.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on Badger Meter in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $238.40.

Badger Meter Company 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.