Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Invests $19.27 Million in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 90,845 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $19,270,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.31% of Badger Meter at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position 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 buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. increased its position in Badger Meter by 2,457.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 179 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth $39,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Karen M. Bauer sold 1,147 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.74, for a total value of $240,571.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,076 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,064,640.24. This represents a 18.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 1,165 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total value of $247,131.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 52,620 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,162,280.60. The trade was a 2.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 18,533 shares of company stock worth $3,890,249 over the last ninety days. 0.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Badger Meter Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE BMI traded up $0.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $248.70. The company had a trading volume of 338,978 shares, compared to its average volume of 208,525. The company has a market capitalization of $7.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 58.79, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.83. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 1 year low of $162.17 and a 1 year high of $250.41. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $213.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $213.95.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BMI has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Badger Meter from $238.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Argus set a $240.00 target price on Badger Meter in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Badger Meter from $218.00 to $216.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Maxim Group lifted their price target on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Badger Meter from $209.00 to $196.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $229.80.

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.