Natixis Advisors LLC Sells 1,741 Shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Key Points

• Natixis Advisors LLC has reduced its stock position in Badger Meter, Inc. by 3.1% in the first quarter, holding 53,876 shares worth $10.25 million after selling 1,741 shares.
• Badger Meter reported $1.17 EPS for the last quarter, missing estimates, but had a 9.9% increase in revenue year-over-year, totaling $238.1 million.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on Badger Meter, with an average target price of $238.40, where some have issued "buy" and others "hold" ratings on the stock.

Natixis Advisors LLC reduced its stake in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 3.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 53,876 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 1,741 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.18% of Badger Meter worth $10,250,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vestcor Inc lifted its stake in shares of Badger Meter by 1.9% during the first quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 5,483 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,043,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,215,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,381,000. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter in the 1st quarter valued at about $67,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Badger Meter Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE BMI traded down $1.70 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $184.16. 376,477 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 485,238. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12 month low of $162.17 and a 12 month high of $256.08. The company's 50 day moving average price is $232.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $218.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.43 billion, a PE ratio of 40.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.84.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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). Badger Meter had a net margin of 15.53% and a return on equity of 21.57%. The business had revenue of $238.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $235.38 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.12 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on BMI shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $219.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Argus set a $240.00 price target on Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Badger Meter from $284.00 to $264.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on Badger Meter in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. They issued a "market perform" rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $224.00 target price on Badger Meter in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $238.40.

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.