Machina Capital S.A.S. Has $1.72 Million Position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Machina Capital S.A.S. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 597.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,061 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 6,049 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company comprises about 1.1% of Machina Capital S.A.S.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Machina Capital S.A.S.'s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $1,722,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,028 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.2% during the third quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 867 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Dover Advisors LLC boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.7% in the third quarter. Dover Advisors LLC now owns 2,702 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Mendel Money Management grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 1,536 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Phillips Wealth Planners LLC increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC now owns 818 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BDX traded up $0.56 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $237.14. 1,120,070 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,408,706. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52-week low of $229.40 and a 52-week high of $287.32. The company has a 50-day moving average of $238.27 and a 200-day moving average of $239.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 0.97.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.04 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 6.76% and a return on equity of 13.90%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.86 EPS. Analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 13.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Monday, June 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $312.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $281.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total transaction of $399,269.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares in the company, valued at $1,252,750.61. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares in the company, valued at $1,252,750.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the company's stock.

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.