Squarepoint Ops LLC Raises Stock Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its position in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 793.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 67,391 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 59,847 shares during the quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned 0.23% of Badger Meter worth $14,295,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BMI. Two Sigma Advisers LP purchased a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the 4th quarter worth $318,000. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Badger Meter by 838.0% during the 4th quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 82,073 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $17,409,000 after buying an additional 73,323 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. increased its holdings in Badger Meter by 11.4% in the 4th quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 4,776 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 489 shares during the last quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Badger Meter in the 4th quarter valued at $203,000. Finally, Redwood Investments LLC increased its holdings in Badger Meter by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Redwood Investments LLC now owns 10,432 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $2,213,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.01% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Badger Meter

In other Badger Meter news, VP William R. A. Bergum sold 2,416 shares of Badger Meter stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.33, for a total transaction of $508,157.28. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 14,199 shares in the company, valued at $2,986,475.67. This trade represents a 14.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 16,073 shares of Badger Meter stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 34,961 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,332,720.14. This trade represents a 31.49% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $4,398,407 over the last 90 days. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Badger Meter Stock Performance

NYSE:BMI traded down $4.33 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $245.48. 34,871 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 207,236. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12-month low of $162.17 and a 12-month high of $250.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.23 billion, a PE ratio of 58.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50-day moving average of $210.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $213.42.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $222.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $220.39 million. Badger Meter had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 21.77%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.99 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. Badger Meter's payout ratio is currently 29.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted 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. Robert W. Baird cut 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. Argus set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Badger Meter in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $209.00 to $196.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Maxim Group upped their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $229.80.

Badger Meter Company 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.