BD Reports Q1 EPS of $1.35 vs. $1.29

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) BDX today reported quarterly revenues of $1.842 billion for the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010, representing a decrease of 1.4 percent from the prior-year period. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, revenue decreased 1.5 percent. The revenue decline reflects an unfavorable comparison to the prior year of about 4 percentage points due to strong sales related to the pandemic flu and U.S. stimulus revenues in fiscal 2010. Reported diluted earnings per share for the first quarter were $1.35, compared with $1.25 in the prior-year period, representing an 8.0 percent increase. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter increased by 4.8 percent.