Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Decreases Stock Position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC trimmed its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 90.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 359 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 3,380 shares during the period. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $81,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP David Shan sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $120,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,741 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,377,840. This trade represents a 8.01 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total value 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 represents a 1.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 10,544 shares of company stock valued at $2,370,309. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $227.54 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $232.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $233.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 1.13. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $218.75 and a 1-year high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.40.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.43. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 8.47% and a return on equity of 15.74%. Equities analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 28th that allows the company to buyback 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the medical instruments supplier to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.10%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average 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.