Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Given New $220.00 Price Target at Jefferies Financial Group

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) had its price objective upped by Jefferies Financial Group from $215.00 to $220.00 in a report published on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a buy rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on BDX. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $211.00 to $202.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Argus lifted their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $204.91.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of BDX stock opened at $198.44 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $188.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $184.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.11. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52-week low of $162.29 and a 52-week high of $251.99. The stock has a market cap of $56.64 billion, a PE ratio of 34.04, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.25.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is 72.04%.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total transaction of $38,317.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 407 shares of company stock valued at $73,922 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Becton, Dickinson and Company

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 98.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,770 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 877 shares during the period. FORA Capital LLC acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $3,458,000. RiverGlades Family Offices LLC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $344,000. Hutchinson Financial Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the second quarter worth $1,024,000. Finally, Versor Investments LP boosted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 73.2% in the second quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 4,336 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $747,000 after acquiring an additional 1,833 shares during the period. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.