News & Events

Franklin Lakes, NJ (April 21, 1998) -- Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) today reported diluted earnings per share of $.71 for the second quarter of its fiscal year, an increase of 13 percent compared with last year's $.63. Net income was $92 million for the quarter, an increase of 12 percent over last year's $83 million.

Revenues grew six percent to $738 million for the fiscal second quarter, which ended March 31, 1998, compared with last year's second quarter of $699 million. The company noted that foreign currency translation reduced revenues by an estimated $26 million for the quarter and earnings by an estimated $.04 a share.

By business segment, medical supplies and devices revenues totaled $384 million. Diagnostic systems revenues were $355 million.

On a geographic basis, revenues in the United States were $402 million, while revenues outside the United States were $336 million.

The company indicated that, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, revenues grew nine percent for the quarter compared with last year, with especially good performance in the infusion therapy and pharmaceutical systems businesses, as well as in the flow cytometry and infectious disease diagnostics businesses, which were aided by previously announced acquisitions.

For the six-month period ended March 31, 1998, revenues were $1.440 billion. Diluted earnings per share increased 12 percent to $1.21 a share and net income was $157 million, an increase of 11 percent. Medical supplies and devices revenues for the six-month period were $756 million, while revenues from diagnostic systems totaled $684 million. On a geographic basis, U.S. revenues were $791 million and revenues outside the United States were $649 million. The company noted that foreign currency translation reduced reported revenues by an estimated $52 million for the six-month period.