Badger Meter Inc vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. — how do they compare? Badger Meter Inc trades at $135.56 (market cap $3.95B), while Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $282.11 (market cap $18.20B). The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. is far larger — about 4.6× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.66%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMI | ESS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.95B | $18.20B |
Sector | Technology | Real Estate |
52-Week High | $193.09 | $298.33 |
52-Week Low | $113.41 | $239.61 |
Enterprise Value | $3.86B | $24.80B |
Dividend Yield | 1.17% | 3.66% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $138.86, up 1.23% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $155.20. Recent earnings show a Q2 2026 beat but misses in prior quarters, while financials indicate solid profitability with a 14.27% net income margin. The stock faces headwinds from multiple class-action lawsuits alleging securities fraud, as reported by Business Wire and GlobeNewsWire in early August 2026, though insider buying by a VP in late July signals confidence.
The outlook is mixed: strong fundamentals and analyst upside support growth, but legal risks and earnings volatility pose challenges. Investors may find value if legal concerns resolve, but caution is warranted due to potential sentiment pressure from ongoing litigation.
ESS trades at $288.1, up 1.05% daily, with a neutral technical signal and support near $284. The stock shows strong profitability with a 21.48% net margin and recent Q2 2026 earnings miss on EPS but beat on FFO, leading to raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $1.89B in 2025, though net income declined to $670M from $742M in 2024.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $305.86, implying ~6% upside. Risks include high debt levels (debt-to-asset ratio of 51.92% in 2024) and regional economic exposure. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 40% buy ratings, but institutional interest grew with Amundi increasing its stake in Q1 2026.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Badger Meter provides industry-leading water management solutions. Its smart measurement hardware and software analytics help water utilities and industrial customers optimize operations and conserve natural resources.
Read more on BMI →Essex Property Trust owns a portfolio of 253 apartment communities with over 62,000 units and is developing three additional properties with 571 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties on the West Coast in the urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle.
Read more on ESS →