BD reports growth during opening quarter of 2015

BD has announced strong financial results for the first quarter of its 2015 business year, which concluded on December 31st 2014.

During the three months, the company generated a quarterly revenue total of $2.05 billion (1.35 billion pounds), up by 1.8 percent from the prior-year period, or 5.3 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

Its medical and life science divisions both outperformed their respective sales totals from the first quarter of fiscal 2014, while progress was also made on the acquisition of CareFusion, which is expected to close within the next two months.

Revenues for the full fiscal year 2015 are now predicted to increase by approximately five percent year over year on a foreign currency-neutral basis – a revision to the previous guidance of 4.5 percent growth.

Vincent Forlenza, chairman, chief executive officer and president of BD, said: "Both segments contributed to revenue growth, aided by flu-related sales. Our revenue growth and good operating performance this quarter gives us the confidence to raise guidance for fiscal year 2015."

Last month, the firm declared a quarterly dividend of 60 cents per common share, bringing its indicated annual dividend rate to $2.40 per share.