Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC Takes Position in Badger Meter, Inc. $BMI

Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 4,825 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $716,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BMI. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in Badger Meter by 76.5% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 150 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Godfrey Financial Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Dunhill Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 62.3% in the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 185 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Badger Meter

In other news, VP Edward F. Callahan bought 751 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 30th. The stock was bought at an average price of $135.25 per share, for a total transaction of $101,572.75. Following the completion of the acquisition, the vice president directly owned 1,937 shares in the company, valued at approximately $261,979.25. This trade represents a 63.32% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Badger Meter Stock Up 2.8%

Shares of NYSE:BMI opened at $135.44 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $3.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.64, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.65. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12-month low of $112.09 and a 12-month high of $204.00. The business’s 50 day moving average is $137.51 and its 200 day moving average is $138.98.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.01. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 18.03% and a net margin of 14.27%.The business had revenue of $220.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $220.59 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.17 earnings per share. Badger Meter’s revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be paid a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 28th. This is a positive change from Badger Meter’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $172.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Badger Meter from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Zacks Research raised shares of Badger Meter from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $167.00 price objective on shares of Badger Meter and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Badger Meter from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Badger Meter currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $164.00.

About Badger Meter

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.