ING Groep NV Boosts Stock Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

ING Groep NV lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 57.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 67,357 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after buying an additional 24,468 shares during the period. ING Groep NV's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $16,240,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of BDX. WR Wealth Planners LLC increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 2,978 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $696,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.1% during the second quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 900 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $210,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 35.8% in the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 167 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 22.5% in the 3rd quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 245 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tompkins Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 150 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

NYSE BDX traded down $2.02 on Friday, hitting $225.15. 1,963,684 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,410,378. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business's 50 day moving average price is $236.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $235.05. The company has a market capitalization of $65.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.15, 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.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.77 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.38 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 8.55% and a return on equity of 14.89%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.42 EPS. Equities analysts expect 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be given a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. This is an increase 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 63.97%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on BDX shares. Citigroup raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $255.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of 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. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report 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, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $286.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus 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.