Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Stock Holdings Decreased by O Brien Greene & Co. Inc

O Brien Greene & Co. Inc cut its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 74.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,918 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 16,822 shares during the period. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $1,343,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 5,707 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $1,376,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4,067.4% in the third quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,792 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $432,000 after purchasing an additional 1,749 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 15.6% in the third quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,705 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $1,376,000 after buying an additional 770 shares during the last quarter. Eastern Bank raised its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1,746.9% during the third quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 18,377 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $4,431,000 after buying an additional 17,382 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BLB&B Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. BLB&B Advisors LLC now owns 2,121 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $511,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, EVP Roland Goette sold 4,483 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.01, for a total transaction of $990,787.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,345 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,380,488.45. This trade represents a 15.55 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total transaction of $159,593.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 36,033 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,215,163.67. This trade represents a 1.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,544 shares of company stock valued at $2,370,309. 0.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $278.29.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock traded down $0.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $227.54. 1,919,789 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,055,455. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a one year low of $218.75 and a one year high of $251.99. The company has a market cap of $65.34 billion, a PE ratio of 37.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.40. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $232.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $233.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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

Becton, Dickinson and Company declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, January 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.83%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.10%.

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.