Badger Meter, Inc. $BMI Shares Bought by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) by 2.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 180,576 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,078 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.62% of Badger Meter worth $27,511,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in BMI. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Badger Meter in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its position in Badger Meter by 76.5% during the 4th 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 buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Godfrey Financial Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Badger Meter during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in 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 buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in Badger Meter in the second quarter valued at about $49,000. 89.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Badger Meter News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Badger Meter this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Several law firms reminded investors about a pending securities class action against Badger Meter, with a lead plaintiff deadline of August 3, 2026, increasing attention on litigation risk and potential downside for the stock. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The class action alleges investor harm during the April 18, 2024 to April 16, 2026 period, suggesting concerns about possible securities fraud claims and adding uncertainty for shareholders. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Additional notices from other firms, including Rosen, Pomerantz, Berger Montague, and others, reinforced the same litigation overhang and kept Badger Meter in the news for legal rather than business reasons. Article Title

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Badger Meter from $190.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Badger Meter in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Stifel Nicolaus set a $140.00 target price on shares of Badger Meter in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Badger Meter from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 13th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $110.00 to $109.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Badger Meter currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $155.71.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Christina M. Tarantino bought 870 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 21st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $113.80 per share, for a total transaction of $99,006.00. Following the purchase, the vice president directly owned 1,801 shares in the company, valued at approximately $204,953.80. This trade represents a 93.45% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kenneth Bockhorst purchased 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 21st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $117.53 per share, for a total transaction of $258,566.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 51,676 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,073,480.28. This represents a 4.45% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have bought 6,628 shares of company stock worth $777,128. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Badger Meter Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of BMI stock opened at $149.27 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $4.36 billion, a PE ratio of 33.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $132.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $145.22. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 52-week low of $112.09 and a 52-week high of $249.56.

Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $220.71 million for the quarter. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 18.76% and a net margin of 14.56%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 22nd were given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 22nd. Badger Meter’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.12%.

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.