Unique Wealth Strategies LLC Takes Position in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Unique Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,420 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock, valued at approximately $590,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. CX Institutional boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.0% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,491 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $385,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.4% during the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,310 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $339,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.2% during the third quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 867 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Private Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.9% during the third quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management now owns 1,587 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $410,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total transaction of $67,197.78. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.31% of the company’s stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BDX traded up $1.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $231.55. 738,154 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,001,849. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12 month low of $229.40 and a 12 month high of $287.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.90 billion, a PE ratio of 54.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.43. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $239.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $241.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.08.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BDX. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.00.

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.