Westchester Capital Management Inc. Has $8.18 Million Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

Westchester Capital Management Inc. cut its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 47,472 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 147 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company accounts for 1.9% of Westchester Capital Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Westchester Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $8,177,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Alpine Bank Wealth Management bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,167,375. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total value of $213,643.65. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,887 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $881,077.23. This trade represents a 19.52% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 3,023 shares of company stock valued at $562,036. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $186.41 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $190.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $185.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.53, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.25. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $163.33 and a 12-month high of $251.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business 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%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 8th were issued a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 8th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently commented on BDX. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $211.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Argus raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus 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.