JSF Financial LLC Takes Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Key Points

• JSF Financial LLC purchased 4,303 shares of Badger Meter, Inc. valued at approximately $819,000, as stated in a recent SEC filing.
• Badger Meter reported earnings of $1.17 per share for the last quarter, slightly below expectations, but achieved year-over-year revenue growth of 9.9%.
• Analysts have set a consensus price target of $238.40 for Badger Meter, with mixed ratings including four "hold" ratings and two "buy" ratings.

JSF Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,303 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $819,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BMI. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Badger Meter by 162.5% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 147 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Badger Meter by 100.0% in 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 purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Badger Meter by 83.0% in the first quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 194 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Badger Meter Stock Performance

NYSE BMI traded down $4.93 on Friday, reaching $183.84. The company's stock had a trading volume of 271,210 shares, compared to its average volume of 274,788. Badger Meter, Inc. has a twelve month low of $162.17 and a twelve month high of $256.08. The stock has a market cap of $5.42 billion, a PE ratio of 40.05, a PEG ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.83. The firm's 50 day moving average is $237.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $218.88.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $238.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $235.38 million. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.57% and a net margin of 15.53%. Badger Meter's quarterly revenue was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on BMI. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective 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. Argus set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Badger Meter in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $284.00 to $264.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial started coverage on shares of Badger Meter in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a "market perform" rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $224.00 price target on shares of Badger Meter in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $238.40.

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.