Ascent Group LLC Boosts Stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 191.1%, holding 2,984 shares valued at $684,000 at the end of the quarter.
• Becton, Dickinson reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $3.68 for the last quarter, exceeding estimates and reflecting a 10.4% year-over-year revenue growth.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.04 payable on September 30th, with an annualized yield of 2.2%.

Ascent Group LLC grew its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 191.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,984 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 1,959 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $684,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,580,000. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 6.0% during the first quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,576 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $819,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.8% during the first quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 231,327 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $52,530,000 after purchasing an additional 6,256 shares in the last quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $7,935,000. Finally, Sciencast Management LP bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,518,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of BDX stock opened at $188.57 on Thursday. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $163.33 and a 12-month 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. The firm's 50 day moving average is $185.95 and its 200 day moving average is $192.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.91, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.27.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.40 by $0.28. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The company had revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.50 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 8th will be issued a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 8th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 74.82%.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total value of $213,643.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $881,077.23. This trade represents a 19.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 863 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.30, for a total transaction of $165,954.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 23,143 shares in the company, valued at $4,450,398.90. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BDX has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $217.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. 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 note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note 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 note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $211.44.

Becton, Dickinson and 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.