Allianz Asset Management GmbH Boosts Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) by 2.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 212,024 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 4,631 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned approximately 0.72% of Badger Meter worth $44,975,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BMI. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Badger Meter by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,204 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,316,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in Badger Meter by 1.1% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 5,312 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $1,165,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in Badger Meter by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $357,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 2,211 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $483,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. 89.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Badger Meter Price Performance

Badger Meter stock traded up $0.59 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $208.18. The company's stock had a trading volume of 228,277 shares, compared to its average volume of 212,064. The stock has a market cap of $6.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.78. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12 month low of $150.87 and a 12 month high of $239.11. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $214.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $213.43.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.77% and a net margin of 15.12%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.65%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Badger Meter's payout ratio is 32.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on BMI shares. Maxim Group upped their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Badger Meter from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $218.75.

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.