Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX Shares Sold by Amundi

Key Points

• Amundi has reduced its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 11.0%, selling 285,430 shares to hold a total of 2,313,999 shares valued at approximately $512.76 million.
• Insider transactions included EVP Michael David Garrison selling 1,185 shares and Director Claire Fraser selling 863 shares, indicating a notable decrease in their ownership percentages.
• Several analysts have recently updated their ratings on BDX, with Wall Street Zen upgrading it to a buy rating while Citigroup downgraded it to hold.

Amundi reduced its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 11.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,313,999 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 285,430 shares during the period. Amundi owned about 0.81% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $512,759,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $27,000. Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $29,000. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 75.3% during the fourth quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 863 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.30, for a total value of $165,954.90. Following the transaction, the director owned 23,143 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,450,398.90. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total value of $213,643.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $881,077.23. This trade represents a 19.52% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on BDX shares. Citigroup downgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $217.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $261.00 to $241.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $211.44.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of BDX traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $191.50. 2,601,647 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,602,287. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $185.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $192.60. The company has a market cap of $54.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.27. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $163.33 and a 1-year high of $251.99. 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 (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.40 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.50 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.50 earnings per share. Becton, Dickinson and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.300-14.450 EPS. Research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.04 per share. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's payout ratio is currently 74.82%.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

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.