Evercore ISI Raises Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Price Target to $290.00

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) had its price target hoisted by Evercore ISI from $286.00 to $290.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on BDX. Citigroup raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $255.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com raised shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $275.00 to $270.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $282.63.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

BDX opened at $237.35 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $236.64 and a 200-day moving average of $235.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.28, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.42. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $218.75 and a 12-month high of $269.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

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

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 9th were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 9th. Becton, Dickinson and Company’s payout ratio is 83.70%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Becton, Dickinson and Company

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. WR Wealth Planners LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.4% during the second quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 2,978 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $696,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC grew its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 2,956 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $731,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC increased its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 1,715 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $424,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.1% during the second quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 900 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $210,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 22.5% in the third quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 245 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.