Sage Private Wealth Group LLC Buys New Shares in Badger Meter, Inc. $BMI

Sage Private Wealth Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 4,204 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $519,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in BMI. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Dunhill Financial LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in Badger Meter by 212.9% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 266 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.01% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Stock Performance

Shares of BMI opened at $132.01 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $129.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $132.38. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 52 week low of $112.09 and a 52 week high of $193.06. The company has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a PE ratio of 30.84, a PEG ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.64.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.01. Badger Meter had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 18.03%. The company had revenue of $220.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $220.59 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.17 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.50 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 28th were issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 28th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from Badger Meter’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio is presently 41.12%.

Insider Activity at Badger Meter

In related news, VP Edward Callahan purchased 751 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $135.25 per share, with a total value of $101,572.75. Following the completion of the purchase, the vice president owned 1,937 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $261,979.25. The trade was a 63.32% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on BMI shares. Robert W. Baird set a $167.00 target price on Badger Meter and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Badger Meter from $172.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings raised Badger Meter from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Seaport Research Partners set a $160.00 price objective on Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Northcoast Research raised Badger Meter from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $148.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, September 18th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $159.38.

Badger Meter Company Profile

Badger Meter, Inc is a water technology company that develops and manufactures flow measurement, control and communications solutions. Its products are used to measure and manage water across municipal, commercial and industrial applications, helping customers improve operational efficiency, monitor usage and support water conservation.

The company’s offerings include mechanical, ultrasonic and electromagnetic flow meters; valves and related flow-control equipment; and smart water technologies.