ProVise Management Group LLC Acquires 6,344 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

ProVise Management Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 15.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 46,461 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after buying an additional 6,344 shares during the period. ProVise Management Group LLC's holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $10,541,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BDX. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.5% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,179,715 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $284,429,000 after purchasing an additional 16,918 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter valued at $458,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 9.2% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,867 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $1,415,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the period. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 10.1% in the third quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,233 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $779,000 after purchasing an additional 296 shares during the period. Finally, Caprock Group LLC bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter valued at $1,693,000. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of BDX traded down $1.22 on Friday, reaching $230.63. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,372,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,539,839. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a twelve month low of $218.75 and a twelve month high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.22 billion, a PE ratio of 38.31, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $232.58 and a 200-day moving average of $232.04.

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

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, January 28th that authorizes the company to buyback 10,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 1,940 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,411 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,666,808.01. This trade represents a 20.75 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,215,163.67. This trade represents a 1.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,984 shares of company stock worth $1,147,865. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on BDX. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $278.29.

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.