Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX Shares Sold by Probity Advisors Inc.

Probity Advisors Inc. lessened its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,348 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 123 shares during the quarter. Probity Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $232,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 1.1%

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $188.97 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $190.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $184.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $54.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.25. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $163.33 and a 52 week high of $251.99.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 target price (up previously from $185.00) on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Friday, August 8th. Argus lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a report on Monday, September 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $211.00 target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $205.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total transaction of $171,937.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,167,375. This trade represents a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders sold 1,838 shares of company stock worth $348,392 in the last three months. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.