Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Invests $4.71 Million in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

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

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BMI. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Badger Meter by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 350,378 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $74,322,000 after purchasing an additional 12,180 shares during the period. Burney Co. acquired a new position in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter valued at about $385,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Badger Meter by 68.1% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 33,395 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $7,083,000 after acquiring an additional 13,526 shares during the period. Fortress Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter worth about $369,000. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group raised its position in Badger Meter by 74.4% during the fourth quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 5,945 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,274,000 after acquiring an additional 2,536 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.01% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 1,165 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total transaction of $247,131.45. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 52,620 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,162,280.60. The trade was a 2.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP William R. A. Bergum sold 148 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total transaction of $31,395.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 14,051 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,980,638.63. This represents a 1.04 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $4,398,407 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

Badger Meter Price Performance

NYSE BMI traded up $5.81 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $230.03. The stock had a trading volume of 271,314 shares, compared to its average volume of 203,945. The firm's 50 day moving average is $198.78 and its 200 day moving average is $209.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.38, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.84. Badger Meter, Inc. has a twelve month low of $162.17 and a twelve month high of $239.11.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last issued 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 business 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 period in the prior year, the business earned $0.99 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

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