Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC Increases Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,976 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after acquiring an additional 152 shares during the period. Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $969,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the third quarter valued at $25,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 552.0% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 163 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter worth $41,000. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 1.2 %

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock traded down $2.85 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $237.50. 186,702 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,395,357. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $238.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $240.71. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52-week low of $229.40 and a 52-week high of $287.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.45.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.20. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 6.44% and a return on equity of 13.57%. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.86 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Monday, June 10th will be issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 10th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is currently 90.05%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total transaction of $399,269.15. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,252,750.61. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total value of $67,197.78. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total transaction of $399,269.15. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,252,750.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.00.

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.