10 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy in 2026

8. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45

On April 17, Jason Bednar at Piper Sandler lowered the price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) to $159 from $170 and kept a Neutral rating. The firm adjusted parts of its Q2 revenue growth assumptions to better match management’s guidance. It also updated its model to reflect pro forma P&L financials recently shared by the company, tied to RemainCo BDX.

On April 14, RBC Capital Markets lowered its price target on Becton Dickinson to $175 from $195 and maintained a Sector Perform rating. The change came as part of a broader preview of Q1 results across MedTech names. The firm said its intra-quarter checks point to solid fundamentals and steady end markets, with no signs of demand disruption. RBC also believes the recent sentiment-driven dislocation is unwarranted, creating opportunities across the space into Q1 earnings and over the longer term. For Becton Dickinson, the firm expects the stock to remain range-bound. It sees a lack of a clear catalyst, while Alaris continues to act as a headwind in FY26 and FY27.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) operates as a global medical technology company. It develops, manufactures, and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products.