Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. Acquires 1,000 Shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI)

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 25.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.’s holdings in Badger Meter were worth $1,061,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BMI. Perpetual Ltd bought a new stake in Badger Meter during the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,462,000. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its position in Badger Meter by 30.1% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $356,000 after buying an additional 388 shares during the last quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at $936,000. Annex Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Badger Meter by 1,284.9% during the 4th quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,935 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $2,744,000 after acquiring an additional 12,001 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter worth $223,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.01% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Stock Up 1.9 %

Badger Meter stock opened at $219.27 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.79. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $218.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $209.99. Badger Meter, Inc. has a twelve month low of $139.50 and a twelve month high of $239.11.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.62%. Badger Meter’s payout ratio is presently 33.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on BMI shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $203.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Maxim Group upped their target price on Badger Meter from $216.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Badger Meter from $184.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Badger Meter presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $216.00.

About Badger Meter

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.