Thursday, September 25, 2014

Becton Dickinson (BDX) 2014 Review

Becton Dickinson produces a wide range of medical devices as well as products for the collection and transport of diagnostic specimens, instruments for analysis and testing for infectious diseases and research and clinical tools for the study of cells.  The company has grown profits and dividends at a 12-17% annual pace over the last 10 years earning a 20%+ rate of return on equity.  The company should sustain its growth via:

(1) new product innovation and introduction,

(2) a newly instituted cost containment program,

(3) international expansion,

(4) acquisitions.

Negatives:

(1) high unemployment reduces the demand for medical care, in particular, testing,

(2) highly competitive industry,

(3) its international operations subject to risk of losses from currency fluctuations,

(4) rising raw material costs.

BDX is rated A++ by Value Line, has a debt to equity ratio of about 41% and its stock yields 1.9%.

  Statistical Summary

                Stock      Dividend         Payout      # Increases 
               Yield      Growth Rate     Ratio         Since 2004

BDX           1.9%          10               34%             10
Ind Ave       1.5             10*             26                NA

                Debt/                       EPS Down       Net        Value Line
               Equity         ROE      Since 2004      Margin       Rating

BDX         41%            22%            2                15%           A++
Ind Ave     25               15             NA               14              NA

*over one half of companies in BDX industry do not pay dividends

     Chart

            Note: BDX stock made good progress off its November 2008 low, surpassing the downtrend off its January 2008 high (straight red line) and the November 2008 trading high (green line).  Long term, the stock is in an uptrend (blue lines).  Intermediate term, it is in a trading range (purple lines).  The wiggly red line is the 50 day moving average.  The Aggressive Growth Portfolio owns a full position in BDX.  The upper boundary of its Buy Value Range is $101; the lower boundary of its Sell Half Range is $152.


   

9/14

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