Robeco Schweiz AG Makes New $7.49 Million Investment in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Robeco Schweiz AG purchased 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 purchased 35,327 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock, valued at approximately $7,494,000. Robeco Schweiz AG owned 0.12% of Badger Meter at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BMI. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in Badger Meter by 4.5% during the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $357,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Burney Co. bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at about $385,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of 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 valued at $7,083,000 after purchasing an additional 13,526 shares in the last quarter. Geneva Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the third quarter worth about $1,120,000. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Badger Meter by 29.0% in the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 11,971 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $2,615,000 after buying an additional 2,692 shares in the last quarter. 89.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Badger Meter Stock Up 0.9 %

BMI traded up $1.93 on Friday, hitting $209.97. The company had a trading volume of 213,780 shares, compared to its average volume of 211,258. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $213.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $213.62. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12-month low of $150.87 and a 12-month high of $239.11. The company has a market cap of $6.18 billion, a PE ratio of 49.64, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.78.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 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%. On average, analysts anticipate 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 dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.65%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Badger Meter's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on BMI. Maxim Group raised their price target on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price 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 issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Badger Meter currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $218.75.

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.