EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC Raises Stock Position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC lifted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 7.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 27,785 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 1,990 shares during the quarter. EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $6,304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 14,288 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $3,437,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 62.0% during the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 42,013 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $10,129,000 after buying an additional 16,074 shares during the period. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter worth approximately $222,000. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 23.8% during the third quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 1,271 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the period. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC now owns 2,937 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $708,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $278.29.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total transaction of $159,593.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 36,033 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,215,163.67. This represents a 1.91 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 2,838 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.33, for a total value of $633,810.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 6,141 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,371,469.53. This represents a 31.61 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 5,423 shares of company stock valued at $1,239,780 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock traded down $2.45 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $227.09. 2,607,278 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,507,569. The firm's fifty day moving average is $232.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $232.71. The company has a market capitalization of $65.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $218.75 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.63.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.43. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 15.74% and a net margin of 8.47%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's payout ratio is currently 69.10%.

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 28th that allows the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical instruments supplier to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

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.