Private Advisor Group LLC Purchases 1,017 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 5.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,964 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after buying an additional 1,017 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $4,529,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter worth about $215,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 10.5% during the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 8,027 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $1,935,000 after purchasing an additional 766 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,291 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $793,000 after buying an additional 327 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 22,336 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $5,394,000 after buying an additional 3,934 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Forsta AP Fonden raised its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 11.6% during the 3rd quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 56,000 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $13,502,000 after buying an additional 5,800 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Roland Goette sold 638 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.03, for a total value of $139,741.14. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,217 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,113,949.51. This represents a 4.29 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total transaction of $159,593.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 36,033 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,215,163.67. This trade represents a 1.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 10,544 shares of company stock worth $2,370,309. 0.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE:BDX opened at $227.54 on Friday. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12 month low of $218.75 and a 12 month high of $251.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $232.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $233.27. The stock has a market cap of $65.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.40.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, January 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $1.04 dividend. 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 payout ratio is 69.10%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. 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. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price 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.