Becton Dickinson (BDX): BD Board Increases Dividend for 55th Consecutive Year, Authorizes 10 Million Additional Share Repurchases

BD’s board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, a 1.0% increase, marking the company’s 55th consecutive annual dividend raise, and authorized an additional 10 million shares for repurchase. The medical technology maker said the moves reflect its long-standing capital return policy. The dividend increase is modest relative to prior years, while the expanded buyback adds a second lever for returning cash. Investors will watch whether BD funds the repurchases from free cash flow and how the payout ratio evolves.