Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Shares Sold by AMG National Trust Bank

AMG National Trust Bank cut its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 21.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 4,256 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 1,170 shares during the quarter. AMG National Trust Bank’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $964,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Edgestream Partners L.P. acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the fourth quarter worth $1,255,000. West Family Investments Inc. raised its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 8.9% during the fourth quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $267,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 117.8% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,214 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $729,000 after purchasing an additional 1,738 shares during the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the fourth quarter worth $299,000. Finally, EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC now owns 27,785 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $6,304,000 after buying an additional 1,990 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP David Shan sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $120,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,741 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,377,840. The trade was a 8.01 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.99, for a total value of $159,593.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 36,033 shares of the company’s stock, 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. Insiders sold a total of 6,061 shares of company stock valued at $1,379,521 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $229.51 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $65.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $218.75 and a 52 week high of $251.99. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $232.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $232.72.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.43 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 research analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, January 28th that permits the company to buyback 10,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization permits the medical instruments supplier to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is currently 69.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BDX has been the subject of several recent research reports. Piper Sandler raised their price target on 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. Barclays raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $278.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target 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.