Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC Reduces Position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 3.0% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 7,947 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 243 shares during the period. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $1,686,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BMI. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $20,586,000. Congress Asset Management Co. grew its holdings in Badger Meter by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. now owns 363,164 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $77,034,000 after buying an additional 68,137 shares in the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter worth $10,462,000. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 348.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 55,090 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $12,034,000 after acquiring an additional 42,806 shares during the period. Finally, Robeco Schweiz AG purchased a new position in Badger Meter during the fourth quarter worth about $7,494,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst sold 1,165 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total transaction of $247,131.45. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 52,620 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,162,280.60. This represents a 2.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP William R. A. Bergum sold 148 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total transaction of $31,395.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 14,051 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,980,638.63. This represents a 1.04 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 3,729 shares of company stock valued at $786,684. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Badger Meter Price Performance

NYSE BMI opened at $209.18 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.45, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.78. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $213.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $213.81. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12 month low of $150.87 and a 12 month high of $239.11.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. Badger Meter had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 21.77%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.65%. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio is currently 32.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on BMI shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Maxim Group increased their price objective on Badger Meter from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $218.75.

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.