Becton Dickinson Raises Dividend, Expands Buyback Authorization

The new payout equals $4.24 a year. Based on Wednesday’s closing share price of $209.19, it represents an annual yield of about 2.03%, compared with 2.01% before the increase. The dividend is payable Dec. 31 to shareholders of record Dec. 10, the company said Thursday.

The increase preserves Becton Dickinson’s membership in the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index. Its 69 members have raised dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. The company also remains among the 60 dividend kings, a group whose members have increased payouts annually for at least 50 years.

Becton Dickinson had nearly 272.4 million shares outstanding as of June 30 and a market capitalization of roughly $57 billion.