Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ Decreases Holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ trimmed its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) by 57.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 58,695 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 79,400 shares during the period. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ’s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $13,718,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of BDX. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $211,000. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 1,529 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,720,000. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $498,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 82,894 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $20,212,000 after purchasing an additional 5,678 shares during the period. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

BDX opened at $233.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 1.85. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52-week low of $218.75 and a 52-week high of $269.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.48 billion, a PE ratio of 51.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.42. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $235.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $235.52.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.31 by $0.19. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 14.49% and a net margin of 7.13%. The company had revenue of $4.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.96 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 13.1 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.63%. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is presently 83.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on BDX. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $274.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup decreased their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $290.00 to $285.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $279.50.

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.