Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Short Interest Update

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 6,029,622 shares, an increase of 25.4% from the December 15th total of 4,809,734 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,886,610 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days. Approximately 2.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Approximately 2.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,886,610 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.6%

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock traded down $1.19 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $207.16. 1,590,430 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,251,515. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $196.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $189.70. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $162.29 and a 12-month high of $251.99. The firm has a market cap of $59.02 billion, a PE ratio of 35.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.92 by $0.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The company had revenue of $5.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.91 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.81 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Becton, Dickinson and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 14.750-15.050 EPS. Research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th were given a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s dividend payout ratio is 72.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on BDX. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $210.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $202.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $207.64.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,610 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.46, for a total transaction of $334,010.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 12,095 shares in the company, valued at $2,509,228.70. The trade was a 11.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the business’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 directly owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 2,662 shares of company stock worth $535,246 in the last three months. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Becton, Dickinson and Company

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Activest Wealth Management raised its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 285.3% in the 3rd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 131 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. raised its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 256.8% in the third quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 132 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 77.8% during the 3rd quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells a broad range of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. BD’s products are used by healthcare institutions, clinical laboratories, life science researchers and the pharmaceutical industry to enable safe, effective delivery of care, specimen collection and diagnostic testing. The company’s operations span multiple business areas focused on medical devices, life sciences research tools and interventional technologies.

BD’s product portfolio includes single-use medical devices such as syringes, needles, needlesafety and injection systems, infusion therapy and medication management solutions, as well as vascular access, urology and oncology devices acquired through its interventional business.