Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Short Interest Up 32.1% in March

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,790,000 shares, an increase of 32.1% from the March 15th total of 2,870,000 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,170,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 1,940 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.91, for a total transaction of $436,325.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,411 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,666,808.01. This trade represents a 20.75 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 479 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.28, for a total transaction of $94,497.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,887 shares of the company's stock, valued at $964,107.36. The trade was a 8.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 3,578 shares of company stock worth $795,986. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Becton, Dickinson and Company

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 75.3% in the fourth quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Picton Mahoney Asset Management boosted its stake in shares of 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 worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BDX traded up $0.42 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $202.74. The stock had a trading volume of 121,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,721,382. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $219.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $227.78. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1 year low of $193.03 and a 1 year high of $251.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $58.21 billion, a PE ratio of 33.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 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, sell-side analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $1.04 per share. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.10%.

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

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.