Two picks for post-pandemic gains

Article Excerpt

Shares of medical device makers Becton Dickinson and Baxter have stayed in a narrow range for the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic forced hospitals to postpone routine procedures. Now that the pandemic is easing, we feel both companies—and their shares—are poised for solid gains over the next few years. That’s partly due to the upcoming spinoff of Becton’s diabetes business, which will give it more cash to invest in its main businesses. As well, Baxter’s recent acquisition of hospital equipment maker Hill-Rom nicely complements its existing products. BECTON DICKINSON & CO. $269 is a buy. The company (New York symbol BDX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 284.8 million; Market cap: $76.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.9; Divd. yield: 1.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bd.com) operates through three segments: Medical (47% of fiscal 2021 revenue, 44% of earnings) makes an array of devices for hospitals, doctors’ offices and other clients in health care; Life Sciences (32%, 40%) sells products for collecting…