Generation Investment Management LLP Sells 2,537,140 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Generation Investment Management LLP reduced its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 47.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,759,307 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 2,537,140 shares during the period. Becton, Dickinson and Company comprises about 3.0% of Generation Investment Management LLP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Generation Investment Management LLP owned 0.96% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $475,291,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of BDX. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $31,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 378.9% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 182 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust raised its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on BDX shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated 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 on the stock in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Argus upped their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $211.00 to $202.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $203.27.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Up 0.3%

NYSE BDX opened at $177.88 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.99 billion, a PE ratio of 31.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $186.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $182.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12 month low of $162.29 and a 12 month high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%.The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s payout ratio is currently 71.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total transaction of $171,937.50. Following the completion of the sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,249 shares of company stock valued at $231,358. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by corporate 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.