Badger Meter Inc vs Xcel Energy Inc — how do they compare? Badger Meter Inc trades at $142.4 (market cap $4.13B), while Xcel Energy Inc trades at $79.84 (market cap $50.05B). The key difference: Xcel Energy Inc is far larger — about 12.1× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Xcel Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (2.96%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMI | XEL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.13B | $50.05B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $245.81 | $83.91 |
52-Week Low | $113.41 | $68.33 |
Enterprise Value | $3.92B | $87.49B |
Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 2.96% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $140.12, down 2.82% today, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Fundamentally, the company reported $917M revenue and $142M net income for 2025, with strong profitability margins but recent earnings misses in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. A securities class action lawsuit filed in July 2026 adds significant near-term uncertainty, though analyst consensus remains a Buy with a $144.60 price target.
The stock faces headwinds from legal risks and earnings volatility, but solid fundamentals and analyst support suggest potential recovery if legal concerns subside. Investors should weigh the high valuation multiples against operational strength and monitor lawsuit developments closely for directional cues.
XEL trades at $80.48, up 0.52% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst consensus. Recent earnings show a Q1 2026 beat, while Q3 and Q4 2025 missed expectations. The company's $60 billion capital plan through 2030 aims to capitalize on rising electricity demand, supporting projected EPS growth. Cash flow trends show improving net cash flow, reaching $637 million in 2026. The stock is near its 52-week high, with a consensus price target of $91.88 implying potential upside.
Outlook is positive due to robust capital investment and sector tailwinds, but regulatory pushback and high valuation pose risks. Analyst sentiment is predominantly bullish, with 63% buy ratings. Investors should weigh growth prospects against execution risks and current premium multiples.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Xcel Energy manages utilities serving 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. Its utilities are Northern States Power, which serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
Read more on XEL →