Morgan Keegan Maintains MP Rating On BDX

Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX) is scheduled to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on February 8 before the market open, Morgan Keegan reports.

“We believe that BD shares [are] already reflecting a positive bias towards the first-quarter earnings and 2011 results given its premium valuation in the group,” Morgan Keegan writes. “We expect in-line top-line results with some modest EPS upside.

“We maintain our Market Perform rating on BD shares. We continue to view BD as well managed with a global footprint, new product flow, and opportunities to further reduce expenses. said, the current valuation is at a premium to other hospital-supply companies factors into our neutral investment rating at the current time.”

Becton Dickinson closed Wednesday at $83.64.