Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) PT Lowered to $285.00

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) had its price objective lowered by analysts at Evercore ISI from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “outperform” rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock. Evercore ISI’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 24.54% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $312.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, May 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $274.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.86.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $228.84 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $66.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $234.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $237.71. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a one year low of $224.00 and a one year high of $287.32.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.20. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.90% and a net margin of 6.76%. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.04 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.86 earnings per share. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 13.04 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, 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 value of $399,269.15. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,252,750.61. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Roland Goette sold 3,300 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.70, for a total value of $781,110.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,457,713.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,715 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.81, for a total value of $399,269.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,381 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,252,750.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 8,615 shares of company stock worth $2,033,381. Company insiders own 0.31% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Becton, Dickinson and Company

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 22.5% during the 3rd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 24,212 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $6,260,000 after acquiring an additional 4,446 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 96.4% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,604 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $673,000 after purchasing an additional 1,278 shares in the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 13,463 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $3,481,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 33.1% in the 3rd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 12,090 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $3,126,000 after purchasing an additional 3,005 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 59.1% during the 3rd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 19,219 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $4,969,000 after buying an additional 7,137 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

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.