Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. Has $83.57 Million Stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. lessened its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX - Free Report) by 2.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 368,351 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 8,331 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up about 3.2% of Tandem Investment Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. owned about 0.13% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $83,568,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter worth $33,000. Tompkins Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 44.2% in the third quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 150 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Finally, Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total value 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. The trade was a 1.91 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Roland Goette sold 4,483 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.01, for a total value of $990,787.83. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,345 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,380,488.45. This trade represents a 15.55 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 10,544 shares of company stock valued at $2,370,309. 0.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE:BDX traded down $0.39 on Friday, hitting $227.54. 1,920,647 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,087,390. 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 1 year low of $218.75 and a 1 year high of $251.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $232.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $233.34. The company has a market cap of $65.34 billion, a PE ratio of 37.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.40.

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

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Tuesday, January 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase 10,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.83%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on BDX shares. Piper Sandler boosted 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 report on Tuesday, January 28th. Barclays boosted 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, February 12th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $278.29.

Becton, Dickinson and 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.