Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd Acquires 14,690 Shares of Badger Meter, Inc. $BMI

Key Points

• Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd significantly increased its holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. by 771.9%, acquiring an additional 14,690 shares to bring its total to 16,593 shares valued at approximately $3,157,000.
• Badger Meter reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.17, missing analyst expectations of $1.19, although its revenue of $238.10 million exceeded expectations of $235.38 million.
• The company announced a dividend increase from $0.34 to $0.40 per share, reflecting a shift in its annual dividend to $1.60, with a payout ratio of 34.86%.

Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd raised its stake in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 771.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,593 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after purchasing an additional 14,690 shares during the period. Badger Meter accounts for approximately 0.5% of Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd owned approximately 0.06% of Badger Meter worth $3,157,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of 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 shares of 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 valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the first quarter worth $37,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Olde Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the first quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BMI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on shares of Badger Meter in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. They set a "market perform" rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Badger Meter in a research note on Tuesday. They set an "overweight" rating and a $230.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $224.00 target price on shares of Badger Meter in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $216.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Badger Meter from $284.00 to $264.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $237.00.

Badger Meter Trading Up 2.0%

Badger Meter stock traded up $3.63 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $181.11. The company had a trading volume of 322,407 shares, compared to its average volume of 281,372. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12 month low of $162.17 and a 12 month high of $256.08. The company has a market capitalization of $5.34 billion, a PE ratio of 39.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.87. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $201.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $212.89.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $238.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $235.38 million. Badger Meter had a net margin of 15.53% and a return on equity of 21.57%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.12 earnings per share. 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 was paid on Friday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 22nd were paid a $0.40 dividend. This is an increase from Badger Meter's previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 22nd. Badger Meter's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.86%.

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.