SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 24, 2004
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BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 001-4802 22-0760120
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(State or other juris- (Commission (IRS Employer Iden-
diction of incorporation) File Number) tification Number)
1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (201) 847-6800
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N/A
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(Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.
The following statement is being furnished by the Company under the
provisions of Regulation FD:
On February 24, 2004, Vincent A. Forlenza, President - BD
Biosciences of Becton, Dickinson and Company ("BD"), exercised stock
options for 97,612 BD shares and sold the shares acquired upon
exercise. These options were granted in 1996 and were due to expire in
January 2006. In addition, Mr. Forlenza purchased 7,613 shares of BD
in connection with the exercise of additional stock options.
As a result of these transactions, Mr. Forlenza's beneficial
ownership of BD shares (excluding stock options) has increased to
47,632 shares, and his beneficial ownership continues to be in excess
of the requirements under BD's share ownership guidelines, which
require Mr. Forlenza to own shares equal in value to at least three
times his salary. The transactions announced today are part of
Mr. Forlenza's financial strategy of asset diversification and
liquidity.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Dean J. Paranicas
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Dean J. Paranicas
Vice President, Corporate
Secretary and Public Policy
Date: February 24, 2004