Becton, Dickinson works on a variety of medical research, including genome
research.  A part of the human genome is listed on the column pictured above.
Photo: Flickr.com/Jeremy Keith

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

Becton, Dickinson and Company is a worldwide manufacturer of medical supplies and devices, along with laboratory equipment and diagnostic products.

Becton, Dickinson and Company was formed in 1897 when Maxwell Becton and Fairleigh Dickinson decided to go into business importing medical devices.  After acquiring the Philadelphia Surgical Company in 1904, the company was able to manufacture its own surgical equipment.  Additional acquisitions and mergers continued over the succeeding decades that allowed the company to expand.

In 1962, Becton-Dickinson went public and the following year it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  The company expanded into Europe in the 1970s, and has continued to expand its business through acquisition and growth to this day.  Becton-Dickinson has three business lines: BD Medical, which includes anesthesia, surgical and injection products, BD Diagnostics, which includes testing and diagnostic systems for biological specimens, and BD Biosciences, which includes cell imaging and analysis systems.

The company is a member of the S&P 500 index and a Fortune 500 company and trades under the ticker symbol BDX.

Becton, Dickinson’s Dividend and Stock Split History

Becton, Dickinson and Company started increasing dividends in 1972 and has been a Dividend Aristocrat since 1996.  The company has paid regular quarterly dividends since going public in 1962.  Becton, Dickinson announces annual dividend increases in November, with the stock going ex-dividend in December.

Becton, Dickinson has compounded its payout at an average rate of 10.0% over the last 5 years and 11.8% over the last 10 years.

As noted above, Becton-Dickinson became a public company in 1962 and immediately began paying quarterly dividends.  The company has also split its stock seven times since 1962: a 4 for 3 split in December 1963, a 3 for 2 split in 1969, and 2 for 1 splits in November 1966, February 1986, February 1993, August 1996, and August 1998.

Becton, Dickinson’s Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plans

Becton, Dickinson has both direct purchase and dividend reinvestment plans.  The minimum investment for new accounts is $250 for a one-time purchase or $50 per month for at least 5 months for automatic investments.  Additional investments must be $50 regardless of method.  The dividend reinvestment plan permits full or partial reinvestment of dividends

The company pays nearly all fees associated with purchases whether through a direct cash investment or through the reinvestment of dividends – the only purchase fee is 3 cents per share.  When selling shares in the plan, investors will be charged $15 per sale plus 15 cents per share.

Helpful Links

Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Investor Relations Website

Current quote and financial summary for Becton, Dickinson and Company (finviz.com)

Information on the direct purchase and dividend reinvestment plans for Becton, Dickinson and Company