KCM Investment Advisors LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company $BDX

KCM Investment Advisors LLC reduced its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,465 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 386 shares during the quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $252,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BDX. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth $31,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 79.5% in the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 219 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:BDX opened at $177.88 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $186.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $182.15. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a twelve month low of $162.29 and a twelve 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. The company has a market capitalization of $50.99 billion, a PE ratio of 31.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The firm had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on BDX. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Argus upped their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $203.27.

Insider Transactions at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at $4,167,375. This trade represents a 3.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 1,249 shares of company stock valued at $231,358. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

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.