Becton, Dickinson and Company Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:BDX)

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Traders purchased 10,953 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 1,295% compared to the average volume of 785 call options.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $193.92 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $188.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $183.73. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.25.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.05 per share. This is a positive change from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s payout ratio is currently 71.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on BDX shares. Argus lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $257.00 to $215.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $204.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. This trade represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total value of $171,937.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 22,226 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,167,375. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 1,324 shares of company stock worth $245,860 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Becton, Dickinson and Company

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 13,222 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $2,475,000 after acquiring an additional 1,382 shares in the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter worth $37,000. ARQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter worth $625,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. grew its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 47.3% during the third quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. now owns 27,592 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $5,164,000 after purchasing an additional 8,859 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.9% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 111,993 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $20,962,000 after buying an additional 3,201 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

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.