Ossiam Grows Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Ossiam lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 25.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,288 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 2,925 shares during the period. Ossiam's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $3,242,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 61.4% during the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 142 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the period. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 54.1% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 208 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of BDX stock traded up $2.13 on Thursday, reaching $204.45. 1,345,688 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,726,168. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The company has a 50-day moving average of $219.31 and a 200-day moving average of $227.78. The company has a market cap of $58.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.96, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a one year low of $193.03 and a one year high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. Analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.03%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's payout ratio is 69.10%.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on BDX shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Barclays decreased their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $279.00 to $261.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $280.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $272.86.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 1,940 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.91, for a total value of $436,325.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,411 shares in the company, valued at $1,666,808.01. This represents a 20.75 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Jeffrey William Henderson purchased 1,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $233.62 per share, with a total value of $350,430.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 8,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,872,464.30. The trade was a 23.02 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 3,578 shares of company stock valued at $795,986. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company 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.