Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Shares Purchased by First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.

First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 35,811 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after buying an additional 406 shares during the period. Becton, Dickinson and Company accounts for approximately 1.9% of First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $8,732,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4.0% during the third quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,028 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.0% in the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,491 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $385,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.4% in the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,310 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $339,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Value Partners Investments Inc. grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.2% in the third quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 867 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Atlas Private Wealth Management grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.9% in the third quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management now owns 1,587 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $410,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total transaction of $67,197.78. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,276 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $542,348.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of BDX stock opened at $231.55 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $239.24 and its 200-day moving average is $241.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.89 billion, a PE ratio of 54.87, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.43. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $229.40 and a 52 week high of $287.32.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.39 by $0.29. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.57% and a net margin of 6.44%. The company had revenue of $4.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.98 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BDX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James upped their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $269.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Barclays upped their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.00.

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.