Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Shares Sold by Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lessened its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 37.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 66,377 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 40,166 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $16,185,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BDX. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 95,813.8% in the fourth quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,045,643 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,028,807,000 after buying an additional 4,041,425 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $697,398,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board increased its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 242.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 1,783,769 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $461,158,000 after purchasing an additional 1,263,391 shares in the last quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 262.0% in the third quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 847,448 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $219,091,000 after purchasing an additional 613,369 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,927,519 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $6,703,041,000 after purchasing an additional 516,427 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

NYSE BDX traded up $1.03 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $234.18. 1,265,166 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,405,014. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $229.40 and a 52 week high of $287.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The business's fifty day moving average price is $240.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $242.58.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $4.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.73 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.57% and a net margin of 6.44%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.98 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's payout ratio is 90.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $269.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $280.00.

Insider Transactions at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total value of $67,197.78. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,276 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the company's stock.

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.