Czech National Bank Grows Stock Position in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Key Points

• The Czech National Bank increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 6.2%, now owning 70,056 shares valued at approximately $12 million.
• Becton, Dickinson reported $3.68 EPS for the latest quarter, exceeding estimates, with a 10.4% year-over-year revenue growth.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $1.04, with a dividend yield of 2.2% and a payout ratio of 74.82%.

Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 6.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 70,056 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after buying an additional 4,106 shares during the quarter. Czech National Bank's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $12,067,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BDX. Northcape Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,814 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $2,248,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.7% in the first quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 984 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Brady Family Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.2% in the first quarter. Brady Family Wealth LLC now owns 4,317 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $989,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4.7% in the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,188 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $272,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, REAP Financial Group LLC grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 75.3% during the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total transaction of $213,643.65. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $881,077.23. This represents a 19.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total transaction of $171,937.50. Following the sale, the director owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at $4,167,375. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,965 shares of company stock worth $551,536 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

NYSE BDX traded up $0.87 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $188.44. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,123,254 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,544,893. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1 year low of $163.33 and a 1 year high of $251.99. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $187.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $190.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $54.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.89, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.27.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.40 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.50 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.50 earnings per share. Becton, Dickinson and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.300-14.450 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on BDX. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Piper Sandler reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 target price (up from $185.00) on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Citigroup cut shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $217.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays dropped their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $261.00 to $241.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Argus raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $213.30.

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.