Intech Investment Management LLC Grows Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 186.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 28,783 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 18,742 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $6,105,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Badger Meter by 2,457.1% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 179 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares during the period. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in Badger Meter in the 4th quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Badger Meter by 261.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 597 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. 89.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Badger Meter Stock Performance

Shares of BMI opened at $196.96 on Wednesday. Badger Meter, Inc. has a one year low of $151.18 and a one year high of $239.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.56, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.83. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $211.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $213.83.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.77% and a net margin of 15.12%. On average, analysts predict that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Badger Meter’s payout ratio is currently 32.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Maxim Group boosted their price objective on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Badger Meter from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $218.75.

Insider Transactions at Badger Meter

In other news, VP William R. A. Bergum sold 2,416 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.33, for a total value of $508,157.28. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 14,199 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,986,475.67. This represents a 14.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Karen M. Bauer sold 1,147 shares of Badger Meter stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.74, for a total transaction of $240,571.78. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 5,076 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,064,640.24. The trade was a 18.43 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 20,949 shares of company stock worth $4,398,407 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

About Badger Meter

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.