Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Short Interest Update

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 2,940,000 shares, a decrease of 21.0% from the February 13th total of 3,720,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,080,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company's shares are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 459 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $105,570.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 6,952 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,598,960. This represents a 6.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP David Shan sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $120,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,741 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,377,840. This trade represents a 8.01 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 4,984 shares of company stock worth $1,147,865. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

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Institutional Trading of Becton, Dickinson and Company

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,179,715 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $284,429,000 after buying an additional 16,918 shares during the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter valued at approximately $458,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.2% in the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 56,923 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $13,717,000 after purchasing an additional 2,824 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 9.2% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,867 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,415,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 208.9% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 236,682 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $57,064,000 after purchasing an additional 160,073 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:BDX traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $231.94. 1,643,640 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,528,679. The firm has a market cap of $66.60 billion, a PE ratio of 38.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. 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 has a fifty-two week low of $218.75 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $232.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $232.12.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 earnings per share (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%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $1.04 per share. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 69.10%.

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, January 28th that allows the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical instruments supplier to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted 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. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $278.29.

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.