Geneva Partners LLC Takes Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Geneva Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 5,130 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $1,120,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of BMI. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Badger Meter by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,179 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares during the period. Norden Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the first quarter valued at approximately $484,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in Badger Meter by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 36,576 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $5,918,000 after buying an additional 3,740 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its stake in Badger Meter by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 2,514 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $407,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FORA Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Badger Meter in the 1st quarter valued at $519,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Badger Meter

In other news, VP Kimberly K. Stoll sold 1,097 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.00, for a total transaction of $224,885.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,861 shares of the company's stock, valued at $791,505. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Badger Meter Stock Up 1.9 %

NYSE BMI traded up $3.76 on Tuesday, reaching $206.61. The company had a trading volume of 134,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 179,150. The stock's 50 day moving average is $210.01 and its 200-day moving average is $198.83. The stock has a market cap of $6.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.33, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.78. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 52 week low of $139.50 and a 52 week high of $230.76.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.11 by ($0.03). Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.56% and a net margin of 14.80%. The business had revenue of $208.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $212.08 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.88 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.19 EPS for the current year.

Badger Meter Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 23rd were given a dividend of $0.34 per share. This is a boost from Badger Meter's previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 23rd. Badger Meter's dividend payout ratio is currently 33.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on BMI shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Badger Meter from $189.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Maxim Group upped their price target on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. StockNews.com lowered Badger Meter from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Argus upped their price target on Badger Meter from $204.00 to $218.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Badger Meter from $184.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $214.75.

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.