Commonwealth Equity Services Reduces $6M in Becton, Dickinson and Company ($BDX)
The firm cut its holdings in Becton Dickinson by 32.5%, according to its latest 13F filing.
Key Points
- Commonwealth Equity Services reduced its stake in Becton Dickinson by 32.5%, selling 37,653 shares to hold 78,299 shares valued at $12.2 million.
- Shares of NYSE:BDX traded near $155.92 on Saturday, with a market cap of $42.96 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.3.
- Insider transactions included planned sales by executives, and analysts have set price targets ranging from $159 to $204.
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Commonwealth Equity Services has reduced its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company, trading on the NYSE under the ticker BDX. The firm cut its position by 32.5%, selling 37,653 shares. This adjustment leaves Commonwealth with 78,299 shares, valued at approximately $12.2 million, as reported in their latest 13F filing with the SEC. This filing reflects the holdings as of the end of the reporting period and may not represent the investor's current position.
Commonwealth Equity Services vs. the S&P 500
Hypothetical, simulated performance of disclosed positions vs. the S&P 500. Not realized profit and not investment advice. Past performance does not indicate future results. Details.
What Changed in Commonwealth Equity Services' Becton Dickinson Position
Commonwealth Equity Services trimmed its stake in Becton Dickinson by 32.5%, reducing its shares from 115,952 to 78,299. The value of this stake is now around $12.2 million. The move indicates a significant reduction in their investment in the company.
Other Institutional Activity in Becton Dickinson
Other major institutional investors also adjusted their positions in Becton Dickinson. BlackRock, Inc. reduced its holdings by 9,015,742 shares, ending with 26,153,411 shares valued at about $4.11 billion, a 25.6% decrease. Vanguard Capital Management LLC opened a new position with 18,490,610 shares worth approximately $2.91 billion. Similarly, Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC initiated a stake with 15,317,242 shares valued at around $2.41 billion. State Street Corp decreased its holdings by 3,971,368 shares to 13,822,808 shares, valued at $2.17 billion, marking a 22.3% reduction. First Eagle Investment Management, LLC also reduced its position by 2,885,601 shares, holding 11,928,111 shares worth about $1.88 billion, a 19.5% decrease.
Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Down 17.7%
Shares of Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) traded near $155.92 on Saturday. The company has a market cap of approximately $42.96 billion, with a P/E ratio of 27.3 and a forward P/E of 11.6. The stock's 52-week range is between $127.59 and $187.35, with a 50-day moving average of $148.23 and a 200-day moving average of $154.01. Becton Dickinson maintains a current ratio of 0.942 and a quick ratio of 0.355, alongside a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.599.
$BDX stock price
Daily closing prices, year to date. Not investment advice.
Recent Earnings
Becton Dickinson reported revenues of $22.23 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 5.2%. The company's earnings per share (EPS) stand at $5.72, with a net margin of 5.12% and a return on equity (ROE) of 6.67%. The next earnings report is anticipated on August 6, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
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Forward outlook
2 target raises vs 1 cuts.
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EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 3.5%. Revenue met estimates.
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Profit surprise
EBITDA missed by 86 percent. Operating income missed by 91 percent.
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Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
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Analyst signal
2 target raises, 1 target cut.
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Earnings quality
Gross margin up 2.9 points. Operating margin down 8.4 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
BDX closed its Waters separation today and reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results with $5.3 billion in revenue and $2.91 in earnings per share. Growth areas like PureWick and biologic drug delivery are performing well with double-digit gains, though China vaccines and Alaris remain headwinds. Management is investing aggressively in high-growth categories and has already captured 80 GLP-1 molecules in drug delivery devices.
Guidance BDX expects about $12.50 in adjusted earnings per share for the full year, roughly 6 percent growth after tariffs. Management said low single-digit revenue growth is on track. They plan to return $4 billion from the Waters separation through buybacks and debt paydown.
Neutral report. Results and guidance were close to expectations, with limited evidence of a reset either way.
Dividend
Becton Dickinson offers an annual dividend rate of $4.20, yielding 2.69%. The dividend payout ratio is 72.95%, providing a steady income stream for investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company
Several insider transactions were reported at Becton Dickinson. On June 26, 2026, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer Michael Feld sold 75 shares at an average price of $152.80 under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. EVP and President of Medical Essentials & BioPharma, Michael David Garrison, sold 1,100 shares on June 24, 2026, at $145.66, and another 1,100 shares on June 10, 2026, at $151.48, both under planned sales. CEO Thomas Polen Jr. executed several transactions on June 1, 2026, including the sale of 17,445 shares at $146.15.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On May 11, 2026, Barclays maintained its 'buy' rating on Becton Dickinson with a price target of $204. Wells Fargo and TD Cowen both maintained 'hold' ratings with targets of $161 and $163, respectively, in early May. Piper Sandler set a 'hold' rating with a $159 target on April 17, 2026. The consensus among 12 analysts suggests a 'buy' rating with an average price target of $177.75.
About Becton Dickinson
Becton, Dickinson and Company, headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, is a global medical technology company. It develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products. The company serves a wide range of customers including healthcare providers, life science researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Founded in 1897, Becton Dickinson operates through various segments such as Medical Essentials and Connected Care, and employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide.
Bottom Line
Commonwealth Equity Services' decision to reduce its stake in Becton Dickinson reflects a strategic adjustment in its portfolio. Investors often track such filings to assess institutional sentiment towards a company. It's important to note that 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect the current position. With a strong analyst consensus and a solid dividend, Becton Dickinson remains a company to watch.
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