Brevan Howard Capital Management LP Acquires 3,581 Shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Brevan Howard Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 235.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,100 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 3,581 shares during the quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP's holdings in Badger Meter were worth $1,082,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BMI. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Badger Meter by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,841,879 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $814,939,000 after purchasing an additional 44,839 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Badger Meter by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 796,528 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $169,448,000 after purchasing an additional 17,873 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Badger Meter by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 500,946 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $106,261,000 after purchasing an additional 7,719 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter in the fourth quarter valued at $94,547,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Badger Meter by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 433,169 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $91,884,000 after purchasing an additional 17,060 shares during the last quarter. 89.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Badger Meter Stock Up 3.3%

BMI traded up $7.88 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $243.33. 334,193 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 203,396. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 57.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.83. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 52 week low of $162.17 and a 52 week high of $244.20. The company's 50-day moving average is $201.15 and its 200 day moving average is $210.72.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $222.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $220.39 million. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.77% and a net margin of 15.12%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.99 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.56%. Badger Meter's payout ratio is 29.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently commented on BMI. Argus set a $240.00 price target on Badger Meter in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Maxim Group lifted their target price on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $209.00 to $196.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $238.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $218.00 to $216.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $229.80.

Insider Buying and Selling at Badger Meter

In related news, VP Karen M. Bauer sold 1,147 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 owns 5,076 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,064,640.24. This represents a 18.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 16,073 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.74, for a total transaction of $3,371,151.02. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 34,961 shares in the company, valued at $7,332,720.14. This represents a 31.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $4,398,407. 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.