GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC Cuts Stock Holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lessened its position in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 2.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 2,371 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 64 shares during the quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $503,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. River Street Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Badger Meter by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. River Street Advisors LLC now owns 4,682 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $993,000 after buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Badger Meter by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,204 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,316,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. increased its stake in shares of Badger Meter by 17.2% during the fourth quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 1,727 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $366,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nvest Financial LLC purchased a new position in Badger Meter in the 4th quarter valued at about $318,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.01% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Price Performance

BMI stock opened at $213.34 on Monday. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 1 year low of $139.50 and a 1 year high of $239.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a PE ratio of 52.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $217.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $211.28.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 21.56% and a net margin of 14.80%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.2 EPS for the current year.

Badger Meter Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd were given a dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. Badger Meter’s payout ratio is currently 33.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Badger Meter from $184.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Badger Meter from $203.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Maxim Group lifted their target price on shares of Badger Meter from $216.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $216.00.

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.