Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Stake Decreased by Tandem Investment Advisors Inc.

Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. cut its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 376,682 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 5,240 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company accounts for about 3.4% of Tandem Investment Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. owned 0.13% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $90,818,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BDX. WR Wealth Planners LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.4% during the second quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 2,978 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $696,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.1% during the second quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 900 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $210,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 35.8% during the third quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 167 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 22.5% during the third quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 245 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.6% during the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 1,394 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $326,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BDX traded up $4.54 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $231.65. 3,891,299 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,403,113. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The business's fifty day moving average is $237.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $235.09. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a one year low of $218.75 and a one year high of $249.89. The stock has a market cap of $66.96 billion, a PE ratio of 39.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.43.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.77 by $0.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.13% and a return on equity of 14.49%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.42 earnings per share. Becton, Dickinson and Company's quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 13.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be given a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 9th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. This is a positive change from Becton, Dickinson and Company's previous quarterly dividend of $0.95. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 70.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on BDX shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $286.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $270.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $255.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $282.63.

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.