Howard Capital Management Inc. Has $394,000 Stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Howard Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 28.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,290 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after purchasing an additional 509 shares during the period. Howard Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $394,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 17.3% in the second quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 54,146 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $9,327,000 after buying an additional 8,000 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $4,712,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 55.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 4,838 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $833,000 after purchasing an additional 1,718 shares during the period. Riverwater Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $440,000. Finally, Resonant Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 8.2% during the second quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 9,904 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $1,706,000 after buying an additional 753 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total value of $171,937.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,226 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,167,375. This trade represents a 3.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 1,895 shares of company stock valued at $358,995 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Shares of BDX opened at $181.49 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $189.14 and a 200-day moving average of $183.39. The company has a market cap of $52.02 billion, a PE ratio of 32.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.25. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a one year low of $163.33 and a one year high of $251.99.

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 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 research analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BDX shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $211.00 price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Piper Sandler reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 price target (up from $185.00) on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Friday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $205.40.

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.