Badger Meter (BMI) vs Novanta (NOVT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Novanta (NOVT) has outperformed Badger Meter (BMI) over the past year, gaining 42.3% versus a loss of 30.6%. Over five years, BMI leads with a +19.7% price change compared with -11.1% for NOVT. Novanta is the larger company by market cap ($5.16 billion vs $3.70 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Badger Meter is growing revenue faster (+10.9% vs +3.3%).
On valuation, Badger Meter trades at a lower forward P/E (25.7x vs 31.2x for Novanta). Badger Meter pays a dividend yielding 1.25%, while Novanta does not currently pay one. Badger Meter converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.5% versus 5.5%.
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 | NOVT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $127.66 | $136.33 |
| Market cap | $3.70B | $5.16B |
| 1-day change | +2.89% | -5.09% |
| YTD return | -28.86% | +20.72% |
| 1-year return | -30.63% | +42.26% |
| 5-year return | +19.70% | -11.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.83 | 86.28 |
| Forward P/E | 25.70 | 31.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.28 | $1.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.25% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.60 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $916.66M | $980.60M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.90% | +3.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $141.63M | $53.83M |
| Gross margin | 41.68% | 44.39% |
| Operating margin | 20.01% | 9.59% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 5.49% |
| 52-week high | $204.00 | $176.38 |
| 52-week low | $112.09 | $98.27 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.42% | -22.71% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.72% | +42.67% |
| Average volume | 414.07K | 389.49K |
| Shares outstanding | 28.99M | 37.82M |
| Employees | 2,477 | 3,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Miscellaneous |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- NOVT has outperformed BMI by 72.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Novanta trades at a higher earnings multiple (86.3x vs 29.8x trailing P/E).
- Badger Meter offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.25% vs 0.00%).
- Badger Meter is more profitable, keeping 15.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.5 cents for Novanta.
- Badger Meter grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.90% vs +3.30%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Badger Meter in Industrials and Novanta in Miscellaneous.
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 Novanta
NOVT stock →Novanta Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides precision medicine, precision manufacturing, medical solutions, robotics and automation solutions, and advanced surgery solutions in the United States and internationally. The company operates Automation Enabling Technologies and Medical Solutions segments.
Miscellaneous · Industrial Machinery/Components · 3,000 employees
BMI vs NOVT FAQ
Which is bigger, Badger Meter or Novanta?
Novanta (NOVT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.16B compared with $3.70B for Badger Meter (BMI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BMI or NOVT?
NOVT returned +42.26% 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 NOVT?
BMI has the lower trailing P/E at 29.8, versus 86.3 for NOVT. 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 Novanta?
Badger Meter pays a dividend yielding 1.25%, while Novanta does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Badger Meter and Novanta in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.