Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. Acquires 3,436 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 43.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,255 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 3,436 shares during the period. Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.'s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $2,714,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BDX. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 7.4% in the first quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,306 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,065,000 after purchasing an additional 296 shares during the period. Spirepoint Private Client LLC bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $385,000. Cornerstone Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 7.0% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 7,600 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,881,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 843.7% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 3,237 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $799,000 after purchasing an additional 2,894 shares during the period. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.6% during the first quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 1,919,583 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $475,001,000 after buying an additional 67,305 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.9 %

NYSE:BDX traded down $2.02 on Friday, hitting $225.15. 1,965,697 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,410,378. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.43. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $218.75 and a 52 week high of $249.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company's 50-day moving average price is $236.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $234.99.

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 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.77 by $0.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 8.55% and a return on equity of 14.89%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.42 EPS. Becton, Dickinson and Company's quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be paid a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.85%. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Company's previous quarterly dividend of $0.95. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 9th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's payout ratio is presently 70.03%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on BDX shares. Citigroup raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $255.00 to $275.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Evercore ISI lifted 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 note on Tuesday, October 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lifted 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 note on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Raymond James cut their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $270.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $283.00.

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.