Fortress Financial Solutions LLC Takes $369,000 Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Fortress Financial Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $369,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Badger Meter in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Badger Meter by 1,016.7% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 201 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new stake in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter worth $155,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on BMI shares. Maxim Group raised 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. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $184.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $218.75.

Badger Meter Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of Badger Meter stock traded down $2.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $217.01. 176,965 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 219,945. Badger Meter, Inc. has a twelve month low of $150.87 and a twelve month high of $239.11. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $216.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $212.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.78.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.03. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.77% and a net margin of 15.12%. Equities research analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.63%. Badger Meter's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.15%.

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.