Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) Shares Sold by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Key Points

• Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH has decreased its holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. by 28.1%, now owning 65,311 shares worth $12.4 million after selling 25,534 shares.
• Badger Meter's latest earnings report showed EPS of $1.17, missing expectations by $0.02, while the company had a quarterly revenue of $238.1 million, up 9.9% year-over-year.
• Wall Street analysts have mixed ratings for Badger Meter, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $238.40.

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH reduced its holdings in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 28.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 65,311 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after selling 25,534 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned approximately 0.22% of Badger Meter worth $12,425,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Badger Meter in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of 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 valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Argus set a $240.00 target price on Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Badger Meter from $284.00 to $264.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock 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 on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $224.00 target price on Badger Meter in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $238.40.

Badger Meter Price Performance

BMI stock traded down $4.80 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $187.79. 134,701 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 265,162. The company has a market cap of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 0.83. The stock's 50 day moving average is $239.42 and its 200 day moving average is $219.29. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12-month low of $162.17 and a 12-month high of $256.08.

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 analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.02). Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.57% and a net margin of 15.53%. The business had revenue of $238.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $235.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.12 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.