Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Makes New Investment in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 22,186 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $4,706,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Badger Meter at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BMI. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Badger Meter by 162.5% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 147 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in Badger Meter by 2,457.1% in the 4th 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 period. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Badger Meter

In related news, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 16,073 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 34,961 shares in the company, valued at $7,332,720.14. The trade was a 31.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP William R. A. Bergum sold 2,416 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.33, for a total value of $508,157.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 14,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,986,475.67. This trade represents a 14.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $4,398,407. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on BMI shares. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $218.00 to $216.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Badger Meter from $238.00 to $252.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Maxim Group lifted their target price on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Badger Meter from $209.00 to $196.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Argus set a $240.00 price objective on Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $229.80.

Badger Meter Stock Up 2.6 %

Shares of NYSE BMI traded up $5.81 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $230.03. 271,314 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 204,014. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 1 year low of $162.17 and a 1 year high of $239.11. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $198.32 and a 200 day moving average of $209.61. The stock has a market cap of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.38, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.84.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 21.77%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.99 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.59%. Badger Meter's dividend payout ratio is currently 29.96%.

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.