Becton Dickinson, also known as BD, is one of the largest international medical technology companies that develops, produces and sells disposable medical devices, device systems and reagents. BD supplies hospitals, health care facilities, life scientists, clinical laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry.
According to Becton Dickinson's latest financial reports and stock price the company's current price-to-earnings ratio (TTM) is 40.6559. At the end of 2022 the company had a P/E ratio of 47.7.
The Price/Earnings ratio measures the relationship between a company's stock price and its earnings per share. A low but positive P/E ratio stands for a company that is generating high earnings compared to its current valuation and might be undervalued. A company with a high negative (near 0) P/E ratio stands for a company that is generating heavy losses compared to its current valuation.
Companies with a P/E ratio over 30 or a negative one are generaly seen as "growth stocks" meaning that investors typically expect the company to grow or to become profitable in the future. Companies with a positive P/E ratio bellow 10 are generally seen as "value stocks" meaning that the company is already very profitable and unlikely to strong growth in the future.