Badger Meter Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Badger Meter (NYSE: BMI) reported strong financial results for Q4 and full year 2024. Fourth quarter highlights include total sales of $205.2 million, up 13% year-over-year, with operating profit increasing 22% and margins expanding to 19.1%. Q4 diluted EPS grew 24% to $1.04.

Full year 2024 achievements include record total sales of $826.6 million, an 18% increase from 2023, with software sales growing 30% to over $56 million. Operating profit margins improved 230 basis points to 19.1%, while diluted EPS rose 35% to $4.23. The company generated record cash flow of $155 million from operations.

The company announced the acquisition of SmartCover Systems to expand its BlueEdge suite of solutions for water management. Utility water sales increased 14% year-over-year, driven by strong adoption of cellular AMI offerings, while flow instrumentation products saw a modest 1% growth.

Positive

• Record total sales of $826.6 million, up 18% YoY
• Software sales increased 30% to over $56 million
• Operating profit margins expanded 230 basis points to 19.1%
• Diluted EPS grew 35% to $4.23
• Record operating cash flow of $155 million
• Q4 gross margin improved 110 basis points to 40.3%

Negative

• Flow instrumentation products showed minimal growth of 1%
• SEA expenses increased by $4.2 million in Q4
• Tax rate increased to 27.1% from 26.1% YoY in Q4

Insights

Financial Analyst

Badger Meter's Q4 and FY2024 results showcase exceptional execution across all key metrics. The standout 150 basis point expansion in operating margins to 19.1% reflects successful implementation of their value-based pricing strategy and favorable mix shift toward higher-margin software solutions. The 30% growth in software revenue to $56 million is particularly noteworthy, as it strengthens recurring revenue streams and enhances customer stickiness.

The company's robust cash flow generation, with $155 million in operating cash flow for the full year, provides significant financial flexibility for strategic investments and M&A. The SmartCover Systems acquisition strategically expands their wastewater monitoring capabilities, addressing the growing concerns around flooding and infrastructure resilience in municipalities.

The 14% growth in utility water sales, driven by cellular AMI adoption, demonstrates strong market demand for smart water management solutions. This, combined with the company's focus on operational efficiency and strategic pricing, positions them well to achieve their targeted high single-digit growth rates and continued margin expansion in 2025.

The 35% EPS growth to $4.23 for the full year, coupled with expanding margins and strong cash conversion above 100%, indicates excellent operational leverage and efficient capital allocation. The BlueEdge platform launch further strengthens their competitive positioning in the digital water management space.

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Total sales of $205.2 million, 13% higher than the prior year’s $182.4 million.
• Operating profit increased 22% year-over-year, with operating profit margins expanding 150 basis points to 19.1% from 17.6%.
• Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 24% to $1.04, up from $0.84 in the comparable prior year quarter.
• Record cash flow with $52.1 million in net cash provided by operations, increasing 37% over the prior year.

Full Year 2024 Highlights

• Record total sales of $826.6 million, 18% higher than the prior year’s $703.6 million.
• Software sales of over $56 million, increasing approximately 30% year-over-year.
• Operating profit margins improved 230 basis points over the prior year to 19.1%.
• Diluted EPS increased 35% to a record $4.23, up from $3.14 in the prior year.
• Record cash flow with $155 million in net cash provided by operations.
• Introduced BlueEdge™, the platform brand aimed at simplifying the Badger Meter suite of scalable solutions for efficient water management.

Kenneth C. Bockhorst, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We finished 2024 with yet another quarter of excellent results, including solid performance across a variety of operating metrics with continued strong sales growth, expanding operating profit margins, robust EPS growth and record cash flow from operations. We utilized our strong balance sheet and cash flows to expand on the breadth of our BlueEdge suite of solutions, adding real-time monitoring of water collection systems with the acquisition of SmartCover^® Systems (SmartCover) which we announced today. Lastly, I’m grateful for the hard work and commitment of the entire Badger Meter team in supporting our customers and delivering on our strategic growth goals and I want to welcome the employees of SmartCover to the Badger Meter team.”

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Utility water sales increased 14% year-over-year with solid growth across the broad suite of BlueEdge technology solutions utilized by utility customers. Most notably, we continued to see robust adoption rates for our cellular AMI offering, which included higher sales of ORION^® Cellular endpoints, BEACON^® Software as a Service (SaaS), and mechanical and ultrasonic metering sales year-over-year.

Sales of flow instrumentation products increased 1% year-over-year with modest growth in the water-focused end markets more than offsetting declines across the array of de-emphasized applications, globally.

Operating earnings increased a robust 22% year-over-year, with operating profit margins expanding 150 basis points to 19.1% up from 17.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin dollars increased 16% year-over-year, and gross margin as a percent of sales was 40.3%, an increase of 110 basis points over the comparable prior year period. The gross margin improvement reflects the continued benefits of positive structural sales mix, including strong AMI and software-related sales, as well as ongoing price/cost benefit and solid operating execution.

Selling, engineering and administration (SEA) expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $43.5 million, $4.2 million higher than the comparable prior year quarter with higher headcount and personnel-related costs as well as certain transaction costs associated with the acquisition of SmartCover. SEA as a percent of sales improved 40 basis points to 21.2% from 21.6% in the comparable prior year quarter.

The tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 27.1% compared to 26.1% in the prior year comparable period. As a result of the above, combined with increased interest income year-over-year, EPS was $1.04, an increase of 24% compared to $0.84 in the comparable prior year period.

Full Year Recap and Outlook

Bockhorst continued, “I’m incredibly proud of our performance in 2024, delivering 18% year-over-year sales growth. We achieved record operating profit margins at 19.1%, with both gross profit margin expansion and SEA leverage contributing to the 230 basis point increase year-over-year. We delivered a 35% increase in EPS, and generated record cash flows in 2024. In short, our track record of differentiated performance continued. This, coupled with execution of our strategic priorities, including investments in hardware and software innovation and complementary acquisitions, demonstrates our ability to further capitalize on the robust demand environment for comprehensive and tailorable digital water management solutions.

“These industry-leading solutions deliver efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability for customers to address the variety of persistent challenges facing the water industry, including the impacts from more frequent and severe flooding on municipalities. The acquisition of SmartCover, with its focus on sewer line and lift station monitoring solutions, aids customers in visualizing and optimally managing their wastewater systems. We will continue to explore opportunities for value-creating acquisitions like SmartCover, to further amplify our growth and generate enhanced returns.

“As we enter 2025, the demand environment for our end-to-end smart water offerings remains resilient. We remain committed to our strategic goals, including delivering high single-digit sales growth rates over the cycle, noting the usual unevenness common in the industry, generating modest year-over-year operating profit margin expansion and achieving free cash flow conversion above 100%.”

Bockhorst concluded, “In summary, we will continue to execute on the blueprint that has driven our success, namely our relentless focus on customer outcomes, our effective delivery of innovative solutions, and our differentiated operational acumen which we believe collectively results in strong shareholder returns and the protection of the world’s most precious resource.”

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Badger Meter management will hold a conference call to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2024 results today, Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central/11:00 AM Eastern time. The webcast and related presentation can be accessed via the Investor section of the Company’s website. Individuals wishing to participate in the call should use this online registration link: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=a5367bfa&confId=76111.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) or its employees, may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements. The Company’s results are subject to general economic conditions, variation in demand from customers, continued market acceptance of new products, the successful integration of acquisitions, competitive pricing and operating efficiencies, supply chain risk, material and labor cost increases, tax reform and foreign currency risk. See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors, which are incorporated herein by reference. Badger Meter disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

About Badger Meter

With more than a century of water technology innovation, Badger Meter provides comprehensive water management solutions through its BlueEdge™ suite. This tailorable portfolio of smart measurement hardware, reliable communications, data visualization and analytics software and ongoing support and industry expertise give customers the edge in optimizing their operations and contributing to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s most precious resource. For more information, visit www.badgermeter.com.

BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and earnings per share data)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Net sales		$	205,182			$	182,440			$	826,558			$	703,592
Cost of sales			122,422				110,975				497,374				427,154
Gross margin			82,760				71,465				329,184				276,438
Selling, engineering and administration			43,537				39,386				171,248				158,389
Operating earnings			39,223				32,079				157,936				118,049
Interest income, net			(2,924	)			(1,398	)			(8,613	)			(4,047	)
Other pension and postretirement costs			12				33				49				130
Earnings before income taxes			42,135				33,444				166,500				121,966
Provision for income taxes			11,418				8,723				41,558				29,368
Net earnings		$	30,717			$	24,721			$	124,942			$	92,598
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	1.05			$	0.84			$	4.26			$	3.16
Diluted		$	1.04			$	0.84			$	4.23			$	3.14
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic			29,368,656				29,305,864				29,355,741				29,284,396
Diluted			29,559,950				29,471,418				29,533,543				29,455,557

BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
Assets	December 31,				December 31,
	2024				2023
	(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	295,305			$	191,782
Receivables		84,325				83,507
Inventories		143,408				153,674
Other current assets		17,078				13,214
Total current assets		540,116				442,177
Net property, plant and equipment		74,260				73,878
Intangible assets, at cost less accumulated amortization		45,066				53,737
Other long-term assets		45,201				33,964
Goodwill		111,770				113,163
Total assets	$	816,413			$	716,919
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Payables	$	55,659			$	81,807
Accrued compensation and employee benefits		34,912				29,871
Other current liabilities		27,634				20,270
Total current liabilities		118,205				131,948
Deferred income taxes		3,652				5,061
Long-term employee benefits and other		88,324				63,428
Shareholders' equity		606,232				516,482
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	816,413			$	716,919

BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Operating activities:
Net earnings		$	30,717			$	24,721			$	124,942			$	92,598
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation			2,773				2,837				11,103				10,937
Amortization			5,295				4,353				21,082				17,173
Deferred income taxes			(11,074	)			(9,249	)			(11,074	)			(9,650	)
Noncurrent employee benefits			(141	)			(64	)			(153	)			(338	)
Stock-based compensation expense			1,587				1,225				6,182				5,188
Changes in:
Receivables			8,370				5,504				(1,444	)			(6,351	)
Inventories			13,687				(4,839	)			10,320				(32,467	)
Payables			(6,919	)			(3,776	)			(12,161	)			8,506
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(7,540	)			267				(15,312	)			(7,012	)
Other liabilities			15,312				16,966				21,549				31,533
Total adjustments			21,350				13,224				30,092				17,519
Net cash provided by operations			52,067				37,945				155,034				110,117
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment expenditures			(4,669	)			(2,054	)			(12,818	)			(12,003	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			-				-				(3,000	)			(17,127	)
Net cash used for investing activities			(4,669	)			(2,054	)			(15,818	)			(29,130	)
Financing activities:
Dividends paid			(9,985	)			(7,918	)			(35,847	)			(29,052	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			-				-				751				967
Net cash used for financing activities			(9,985	)			(7,918	)			(35,096	)			(28,085	)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash			(1,063	)			899				(597	)			828
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			36,350				28,872				103,523				53,730
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period			258,955				162,910				191,782				138,052
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period		$	295,305			$	191,782			$	295,305			$	191,782

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250131987609/en/

Karen Bauer

(414) 371-7276

kbauer@badgermeter.com

Source: Badger Meter, Inc.

FAQ

What was Badger Meter's (BMI) revenue growth in Q4 2024?

Badger Meter reported Q4 2024 total sales of $205.2 million, representing a 13% increase from $182.4 million in the prior year.

How much did Badger Meter's (BMI) EPS grow in full year 2024?

Badger Meter's diluted EPS increased 35% to $4.23 in 2024, up from $3.14 in 2023.

What was BMI's operating profit margin in 2024?

Badger Meter achieved an operating profit margin of 19.1% in 2024, improving by 230 basis points over the prior year.

How much did Badger Meter's (BMI) software sales grow in 2024?

Software sales exceeded $56 million in 2024, representing approximately 30% growth year-over-year.

What was BMI's cash flow from operations in 2024?

Badger Meter generated record cash flow from operations of $155 million in 2024.