Swiss National Bank Decreases Stock Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Swiss National Bank decreased its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 4.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 816,602 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 41,200 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank owned about 0.28% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $185,262,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BDX. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 48.4% in the 4th quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 18,560 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $4,211,000 after purchasing an additional 6,057 shares in the last quarter. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 42.9% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,144 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $713,000 after purchasing an additional 944 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 63.7% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,262 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $286,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 9,116 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $2,068,000 after purchasing an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $222.65 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $232.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $232.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $63.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.99, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $218.75 and a 12-month high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.00 by $0.43. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 15.74% and a net margin of 8.47%. Sell-side analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $1.04 per share. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s payout ratio is 69.10%.

Becton, Dickinson and Company declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase 10,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on BDX shares. Barclays raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. StockNews.com raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $278.29.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, EVP David Shan sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $120,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,741 shares in the company, valued at $1,377,840. This trade represents a 8.01 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 2,838 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.33, for a total value of $633,810.54. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 6,141 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,371,469.53. This trade represents a 31.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,363 shares of company stock worth $1,676,105 in the last three months. 0.36% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.