Numerai GP LLC Acquires 11,161 Shares of Badger Meter, Inc. $BMI

Numerai GP LLC increased its holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 279.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,158 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after buying an additional 11,161 shares during the period. Numerai GP LLC owned 0.05% of Badger Meter worth $2,707,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BMI. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in Badger Meter during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in shares of Badger Meter by 62.3% in the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 185 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the 2nd quarter valued at $49,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in Badger Meter during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Employees Retirement System of Texas bought a new position in Badger Meter in the 2nd quarter worth about $54,000. 89.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Badger Meter

In related news, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst acquired 3,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $152.42 per share, for a total transaction of $502,986.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 40,013 shares in the company, valued at $6,098,781.46. This represents a 8.99% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Robert Wrocklage acquired 1,650 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $152.35 per share, with a total value of $251,377.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president directly owned 19,541 shares in the company, valued at $2,977,071.35. The trade was a 9.22% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,989 shares of company stock worth $596,002. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Stock Up 3.9%

NYSE:BMI opened at $152.37 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $4.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.74, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.87. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $158.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $171.97. Badger Meter, Inc. has a twelve month low of $139.14 and a twelve month high of $256.08.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.15 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $220.71 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $232.30 million. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 20.71% and a net margin of 15.45%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.04 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio is presently 33.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Badger Meter from $220.00 to $200.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Badger Meter from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $167.00 price objective on shares of Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $232.00 to $190.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $165.00 price target on shares of Badger Meter in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $181.88.

Badger Meter Company Profile

Badger Meter, founded in 1905 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader in flow measurement and control solutions. The company’s core business centers on the design, manufacture and sale of water meters, control valves and related accessories for municipal and industrial water utilities. Over its more than a century of operation, Badger Meter has built a reputation for precision engineering, durability and compliance with international regulatory standards.

The company’s product portfolio includes mechanical and ultrasonic water meters, electromagnetic flow meters for industrial applications, and a range of control valves that help utilities manage pressure and flow in distribution networks.