Louisbourg Investments Inc. Boosts Stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Key Points

• Louisbourg Investments Inc. increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 35.8%, holding 49,590 shares valued at approximately $8.5 million as of the end of the last quarter.
• Insider transactions revealed that EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares for over $213,000, and Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares valued at nearly $172,000, indicating notable insider trading activity.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.04, resulting in an annual yield of 2.2% and a payout ratio of 74.82%.

Louisbourg Investments Inc. raised its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 35.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 49,590 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 13,080 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company accounts for approximately 1.9% of Louisbourg Investments Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Louisbourg Investments Inc.'s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $8,542,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Alpine Bank Wealth Management bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Friday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total transaction of $213,643.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $881,077.23. The trade was a 19.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was 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 of the company's stock, valued at $4,167,375. The trade was a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 3,023 shares of company stock valued at $562,036. 0.36% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of BDX opened at $186.41 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $53.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.25. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a twelve month low of $163.33 and a twelve month high of $251.99. 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 50 day moving average of $190.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $186.32.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. As a group, analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 8th were paid a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.82%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on BDX shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Argus increased their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of 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. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They set a "sector perform" rating and a $211.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c-)" rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Wednesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $205.40.

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.

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