J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Purchases 2,722 Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 86.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,875 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,722 shares during the quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $1,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Saudi Central Bank bought a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% in the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $31,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust increased its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth $36,000. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $194.00 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $55.37 billion, a PE ratio of 34.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $187.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $183.14. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share 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%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is presently 72.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total transaction of $38,317.86. Following the transaction, the director owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total value of $171,937.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 22,226 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,167,375. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,249 shares of company stock worth $231,358. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $257.00 to $215.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $211.00 to $202.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $203.27.

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.