Becton, Dickinson Q2 Profit Tops Estimates

reported better-than-expected earnings for the fiscal second quarter on Thursday. The Franklin Lakes, New Jersey-based company posted quarterly net income of $216 million, or $1.08 per share, compared to $287 million, or $1.45 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Excluding items, the company earned $1.61 per share. Its revenue slipped 1 percent year-over-year to $2.05 billion. However, analysts were expecting a profit of $1.53 per share on revenue of $2.05 billion. The average estimate among 8 Estimize users was for earnings of $1.54 per share and revenue of $2.06 billion. Worldwide revenue in the BD Medical segment fell 0.9 percent year-over-year to $1.106 billion in the latest quarter, while revenue in the BD Life Sciences segment dropped 1.1 percent to $945 million. Revenue in the U.S.gained 4.5 percent to $863 million, while revenue outside of the U.S. declined 4.7 percent to $1.188 billion. "We are proud of our final standalone quarter, as we welcome CareFusion to BD," said Vincent A. Forlenza, Chairman, CEO and President. "Our performance this quarter demonstrates the breadth of the growth drivers across our businesses and regions, and highlights the diversity of our portfolio. We look forward to the future with confidence as we integrate the acquisition of CareFusion." For the full year, Becton Dickinson projects earnings of $6.43 to $6.50 per share. Becton, Dickinson shares fell 0.65 percent to close at $141.08 yesterday.