Price movement over the last 24 hours
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. vs Becton Dickinson and Co — how do they compare? Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $301.71 (market cap $66.70B), while Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $151.94 (market cap $41.87B). The key difference: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Becton Dickinson and Co pays the higher dividend (2.76%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APD | BDX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.70B | $41.87B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $314.19 | $185.39 |
52-Week Low | $230.42 | $135.49 |
Enterprise Value | $84.11B | $58.33B |
Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 2.76% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
APD trades at $299.53, up 1.24% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. Recent earnings beats and strategic project exits, like the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, have boosted investor confidence. The company maintains solid profitability margins but faces pressure from a negative net income in 2025 due to a pre-tax charge. Cash flow trends show volatility, with significant investing outflows for growth initiatives.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $324.89, implying ~8% upside. Risks include high debt levels, execution on new projects, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Long-term growth is supported by renewable energy investments, but near-term profitability recovery is key for sustained gains.
BDX trades at $151.94, up 0.72% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock is supported by consistent revenue growth, reaching $21.84B in 2025, and a forward P/E of 26.52. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $173.40 price target, and the company maintains a solid dividend, recently paying $1.05 per share. Cash flow trends show variability, with 2025 net cash flow negative $1.00B, though 2026 projects a positive $346M.
The outlook for BDX balances strong fundamentals against near-term headwinds. Revenue growth and strategic positioning in medical technology offer upside, but investor sentiment is cautious due to bearish technicals and margin pressures. Risks include hospital spending caution and competitive dynamics. The stock presents a hold case for long-term investors, with potential catalysts from continued earnings outperformance and innovation in healthcare technology.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →