Voya Financial Advisors Inc. Raises Stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Voya Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 30.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,363 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after buying an additional 3,541 shares during the quarter. Voya Financial Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $2,827,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bill Few Associates Inc. lifted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 0.7% during the second quarter. Bill Few Associates Inc. now owns 7,906 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $1,362,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Gilbert & Cook Inc. raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 2,844 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $490,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Mendel Money Management raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 2,254 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $388,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Plancorp LLC boosted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4.1% in the first quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 1,499 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $343,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division boosted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.4% in the second quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 2,586 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $445,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of BDX stock opened at $194.91 on Friday. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.11. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $189.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $185.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.43, a PEG ratio of 1.80 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. The business had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 16.42%. Research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BDX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $202.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $205.64.

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 that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total transaction of $38,317.86. Following the transaction, the director owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. This trade represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 629 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $196.03, for a total value of $123,302.87. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,105 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,568,973.15. The trade was a 4.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,036 shares of company stock worth $197,225. 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.