Badger Meter (BMI) vs ESCO Technologies (ESE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
ESCO Technologies (ESE) has outperformed Badger Meter (BMI) over the past year, gaining 22.8% versus a loss of 30.6%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +204.0% price change compared with +19.7% for BMI. ESCO Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($6.66 billion vs $3.60 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Badger Meter trades at a lower forward P/E (25.0x vs 27.8x for ESCO Technologies). Badger Meter offers the higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 0.12%). ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% versus 15.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BMI | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $124.07 | $256.90 |
| Market cap | $3.60B | $6.66B |
| 1-day change | +0.27% | -4.22% |
| YTD return | -28.86% | +31.48% |
| 1-year return | -30.63% | +22.81% |
| 5-year return | +19.70% | +203.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.99 | 49.79 |
| Forward P/E | 24.97 | 27.85 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.28 | $5.16 |
| Dividend yield | 1.29% | 0.12% |
| Annual dividend | $1.60 | $0.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $916.66M | $1.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.90% | +19.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $141.63M | $299.22M |
| Gross margin | 41.68% | 42.09% |
| Operating margin | 20.01% | 15.55% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 27.32% |
| 52-week high | $204.00 | $362.15 |
| 52-week low | $112.09 | $193.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -39.18% | -29.06% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.28% | +52.10% |
| Average volume | 414.02K | 215.88K |
| Shares outstanding | 28.99M | 25.91M |
| Employees | 2,477 | 3,359 |
| Sector | Industrials | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Telecommunications Equipment |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ESE has outperformed BMI by 53.4 percentage points over the past year.
- ESCO Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (49.8x vs 29.0x trailing P/E).
- Badger Meter offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 0.12%).
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.5 cents for Badger Meter.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs +10.90%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Badger Meter in Industrials and ESCO Technologies in Telecommunications.
About Badger Meter
BMI stock →Badger Meter, Inc. manufactures and markets flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,477 employees
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 employees
BMI vs ESE FAQ
Which is bigger, Badger Meter or ESCO Technologies?
ESCO Technologies (ESE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.66B compared with $3.60B for Badger Meter (BMI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BMI or ESE?
ESE returned +22.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.63% for BMI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BMI or ESE?
BMI has the lower trailing P/E at 29.0, versus 49.8 for ESE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Badger Meter or ESCO Technologies?
Badger Meter has the higher yield at 1.29%, compared with 0.12% for ESCO Technologies.
Are Badger Meter and ESCO Technologies in the same industry?
No. Badger Meter is in the Industrials sector, while ESCO Technologies is in Telecommunications.