Becton Dickinson and Co. (BDX) Quarterly Valuation – April 2014

Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company or by reviewing 5 Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Investor.  By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a specific look at how Becton Dickinson and Co. (BDX) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Becton Dickinson and Co is a global medical technology company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents used by healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. The Company’s operations consist of three business segments: BD Medical, BD Diagnostics and BD Biosciences. BD Medical produces a range of medical devices, which are used in a range of healthcare settings. BD Biosciences produces research and clinical tools that facilitate the study of cells, and the components of cells. BD Diagnostics provides products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostics specimens. On March 11, 2013, the Company acquired a 100% interest in Cato Software Solutions (Cato).

BDX data by YCharts

Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 5/7

1. Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 – PASS
3. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
5. Earnings Growth – earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end of period – PASS
6. Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – FAIL
7. Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – FAIL

Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 5/5

1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – PASS
3. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend – PASS
5. Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS

Valuation Summary

Key Data:

Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham

Dividend History

BDX Dividend data by YCharts

Conclusion:

Becton Dickinson is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the company’s high PEmg and PB ratios, but the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements.  As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel very comfortable proceeding with further research into the company and comparison to other opportunities through a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Covidien (COV) and 5 Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be overvalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $4.48 in 2010 to only an estimated $5.44 for 2014.  This low level of demonstrated growth does not support the market’s implied estimate of 6.18% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model to return an estimate of intrinsic value that falls below the market price.

The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on Becton Dickinson and Co. (BDX)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.

If you like our valuations, why not check out ModernGraham Stocks & Screens?  It’s a great way to review the valuations while screening for things like low PE ratio, undervalued companies, etc.!

Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in Becton Dickinson and Co. (BDX) or any other company mentioned in the article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.

Logo taken from wikipedia; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.