Brown Advisory Inc. Lowers Stock Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Brown Advisory Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 11.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,859 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 3,459 shares during the period. Brown Advisory Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $4,626,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% during the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the period. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $31,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% in the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the company’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 completion of the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $4,167,375. This trade 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 valued at $245,860 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 2.3%

BDX stock opened at $189.59 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $54.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.52, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a twelve month low of $162.29 and a twelve month high of $251.99. The company’s 50 day moving average is $188.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $183.97.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last posted 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 firm had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s payout ratio is presently 71.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Three equities 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 has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $204.45.

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.