Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. Sells 12,830 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. decreased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 7.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 156,276 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 12,830 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. owned 0.05% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $38,671,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,028 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $266,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,310 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $339,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 867 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Ridgewood Investments LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 2,956 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $731,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 1,715 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $424,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total value of $399,269.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,381 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,252,750.61. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total value of $67,197.78. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total value of $399,269.15. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,381 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,252,750.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.31% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock traded up $6.63 during trading on Thursday, reaching $240.35. 3,668,998 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,410,217. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.08. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $229.40 and a 1-year high of $287.32. The company has a market cap of $69.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.95, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.45. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $238.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.71.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.20. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.57% and a net margin of 6.44%. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.86 EPS. Becton, Dickinson and Company's revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 10th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 90.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on BDX shares. Barclays boosted their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $269.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $280.00.

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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