Brandes Investment Partners LP Makes New $150.05 Million Investment in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Brandes Investment Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 871,110 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock, valued at approximately $150,051,000. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up 1.4% of Brandes Investment Partners LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Brandes Investment Partners LP owned approximately 0.30% of Becton, Dickinson and Company at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% during the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust raised its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% in the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $191.88 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $187.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $183.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $162.29 and a 12-month high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%.The company had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. This is a positive change from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.04%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BDX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $257.00 to $215.00 in a report on Friday, November 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $211.00 to $202.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $203.27.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total transaction of $171,937.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 22,226 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,167,375. The trade was a 3.96% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 1,249 shares of company stock worth $231,358 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

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.