Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-159102

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2010.

 

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated May 8, 2009.

 

Becton, Dickinson and Company
$     % Notes due November   , 2020
$     % Notes due November   , 2040

 

 

 

 

We are offering $      aggregate principal amount of     % Notes due 2020 (the “2020 notes”) and $      aggregate principal amount of     % Notes due 2040 (the “2040 notes” and, together with the 2020 notes, the “notes”). Interest on the notes will be payable in cash semiannually in arrears on May    and November    of each year, beginning May   , 2011. The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. We may redeem the notes, in whole at any time or from time to time in part, at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement.

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-2.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

 

The public offering price set forth above does not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the notes will accrue from November   , 2010 and must be paid by the purchasers if the notes are delivered after November   , 2010.

 

 

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, against payment on or about November   , 2010.

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated November   , 2010.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

 

 

 

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the notes offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

 

As used in this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms the “Company,” “Becton, Dickinson,” “BD,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement which contains specific information about the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement also adds and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information about us and securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering of securities. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, Room 1580, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules), on or after the date of this prospectus until the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

 

(a) Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009 (including the portions of our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on December 23, 2009 that are incorporated by reference therein);

 

(b) Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31, 2009, March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010; and

 

(c) Current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2009 (with respect to Item 8.01), July 26, 2010, July 30, 2010 and October 6, 2010.

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning the Office of Secretary, Becton, Dickinson and Company, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, telephone (201) 847 6800.

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of future operations and financial performance, as well as our strategy for growth, product development, regulatory approvals, market position and expenditures. All statements which address operating performance or events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to volume growth, sales and earnings per share growth, cash flows or uses and statements expressing views about future operating results — are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of future events. The forward-looking statements are and will be based on management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and speak only as of their dates. Investors should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections. Investors are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Furthermore, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

 

The following are some important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking statements:

 

 

 

The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.

 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results.  On November 3, 2010, we announced our results of operations for our fourth quarter and year ended September 30, 2010. For the quarter, we reported:

 

 

For the year, we reported:

 

 

Potential Planned Stock Repurchases.  On November 3, 2010, we also announced that subject to market conditions we plan to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock in 2011 and up to an additional $600 million in 2012. We plan to fund the repurchases through ongoing cash flow and the issuance of debt, including the notes offered hereby.

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $     , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated net offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include funding for working capital, capital expenditures, repurchases of our capital stock and acquisitions. Prior to their application, the net proceeds may be invested in short-term investments.

 

You should carefully consider all the information set forth in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and incorporated by reference herein before deciding to invest in the notes. In particular, we urge you to consider carefully the factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our cash, short-term debt and capitalization as of June 30, 2010, on:

 

 

You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

The following description of the particular terms of the notes offered in this prospectus supplement supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. In this section entitled “Description of Notes,” references to “Becton, Dickinson,” “BD,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company, as issuer of the notes and not to any of the subsidiaries of Becton, Dickinson and Company.

 

The notes will be issued by Becton, Dickinson under the indenture, dated as of March 1, 1997, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank) (the “Trustee”). The notes are unsecured and will rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

Terms of the Notes

 

The specific terms of the 2020 notes will be as follows:

 

 

The specific terms of the 2040 notes will be as follows:

 

 

We may, without notice to or consent of the holders or beneficial owners of the notes of any series, issue additional notes having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and/or other terms as the notes of any other series. Any such additional notes issued could be considered part of the same series of notes under the indenture as the notes of any series offered hereby.

 

An event of default for a particular series of notes under the indenture will not necessarily constitute an event of default for other series of notes or for any other series of debt securities under the indenture.

 

Optional Redemption

 

We may, at our option, redeem all or any part of the notes of any series. If we choose to do so, we will mail a notice of redemption to you not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before this redemption occurs. The redemption price will be equal to the greater of:

 

 

The redemption price will also include interest accrued to the date of redemption on the principal balance of the notes being redeemed.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, for any redemption date, the annual rate equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue equal to the Comparable Treasury Price, expressed as a percentage of its principal amount, for that redemption date. The yield of the Comparable Treasury Issue will be computed as of the second business day immediately preceding the redemption date.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by one of the investment banking firms named below that would be used, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the applicable remaining term of the notes being redeemed.

 

The investment banks we may use to select a Comparable Treasury Issue for this purpose are Goldman, Sachs & Co., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, their successors and any two other nationally recognized investment banking firms that we will appoint from time to time that are primary dealers of U.S. government securities in New York City, each of whom we call a “Reference Treasury Dealer.” If any of the firms named in the preceding sentence ceases to be a primary dealer of U.S. government securities in New York City, we will appoint another nationally recognized investment banking firm as a substitute.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, for any redemption date:

 

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Trustee by a Reference Treasury Dealer as of 3:30 p.m., New York time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date. The Trustee shall seek Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations in respect of any redemption date from each of the then-existing Reference Treasury Dealers.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each note being redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on that note that would be due after the related redemption date but for the

redemption. If, however, the redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to that note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on that note that would have been due will be deemed reduced by the amount of interest accrued on the note to the redemption date.

 

On and after the redemption date, the notes or any portion of the notes called for redemption will stop accruing interest. On or before any redemption date, we will deposit with the paying agent or the Trustee money sufficient to pay the accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed and their redemption price. If less than all of the notes are redeemed, the Trustee will choose the notes to be redeemed by any method that it deems fair and appropriate.

 

Clearance Systems

 

The notes have been accepted for clearance through the Depositary Trust Company, Euroclear Bank SA/NV and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg systems. The notes have the following codes:

 

 

The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of a note by a beneficial owner that is a “Non-U.S. Holder.” A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a person or entity that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation or a foreign estate or trust. A “Non-U.S. Holder” does not include a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition; a holder who owns, actually or constructively, 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; a holder that is a “passive foreign investment company”; a holder that is a U.S. expatriate; or a holder that is a “controlled foreign corporation” related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership. Such holders are urged to consult their tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of owning and disposing of a note.

 

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds a note, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding notes and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of a note.

 

Payments of interest on a note to any Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax (including withholding tax) provided that interest paid on the note is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the Non-U.S. Holder does not own, actually or constructively, 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote, the Non-U.S. Holder is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership, the Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on the note is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Non-U.S. Holder certifies on Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person and provides the Non-U.S. Holder’s name and address or otherwise satisfies applicable documentation requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the above requirements, payments of interest on a note will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty, or an IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

 

The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax described above generally will not apply to any payment of principal or gain that a Non-U.S. Holder realizes on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note.

 

If a Non-U.S. Holder of a note is engaged in a trade or business in the United States, and if interest on a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraph, will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as a United States person, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise, except that the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide to us a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding tax. Interest on a note paid to a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate as provided in an applicable tax treaty).

 

Any gain realized on the disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met.

 

Generally, we must report to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of interest paid to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

In general, Non-U.S. Holders will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments on the note that we make provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a United States person as defined under the Code, and the Non-U.S. Holder certifies on IRS Form W-8BEN, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person and provides the Non-U.S. Holder’s name and address or otherwise satisfies applicable documentation requirements.

 

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of notes within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that it is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

The preceding discussion is based on the Code and administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address U.S. federal estate taxation, other aspects of U.S. federal income taxation or any tax consequences arising under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of owning and disposing of a note.

 

Each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement with Becton, Dickinson dated the date hereof to purchase the principal amount of notes set forth below opposite its name. The underwriters are committed to purchase all of the notes if any notes are purchased.

 

 

The notes are each new issues of securities with no established trading market. Becton, Dickinson has been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes.

 

Becton, Dickinson has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

The underwriters propose to offer the notes initially at the respective offering prices on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may sell notes to securities dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to     % of the principal amount in the case of the 2020 notes and     % of the principal amount in the case of the 2040 notes. These securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to     % of the principal amount in the case of the 2020 notes and     % of the principal amount in the case of the 2040 notes. If the underwriters cannot sell all the notes at the initial offering price, they may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

 

The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

 

In order to facilitate the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or support the price of such notes, as the case may be, for a limited period after the issue date. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the notes for their own account. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the notes, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, notes in the open market. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for Becton, Dickinson, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their

customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of Becton, Dickinson. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

Becton, Dickinson estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $     .

 

European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

(d) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong)

other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law), and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

 

Jeffrey S. Sherman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Becton, Dickinson, will issue an opinion about certain New Jersey law matters in connection with the offering of the notes for Becton, Dickinson. The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for Becton, Dickinson by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York.

PROSPECTUS

 

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

 

COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS

 

 

We may offer from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or units that may include any of these securities or securities of other entities. Specific terms of these securities will be provided in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.

 

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “BDX.”

 

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is May 8, 2009

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. The terms “BD,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, Room 1580, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules), on or after the date of this prospectus until the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

 

(a) Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009;

 

(b) Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008;

 

(c) Current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 5, 2008, December 9, 2008, January 7, 2009, April 28, 2009 and May 8, 2009 (except for the information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and the furnished exhibits related to that information);

 

(d) Definitive proxy statement on Form 14A filed with the SEC on December 23, 2008;

 

(e) The description of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share contained in a registration statement under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

(f) The description of our preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share contained in a registration statement under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning the office of Secretary, Becton, Dickinson and Company, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, telephone (201) 847-6800.

 

 

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

We may from time to time make certain forward-looking statements in publicly released materials, both written and oral, including statements contained in this prospectus and other filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of future operations and financial performance, as well as our strategy for growth, product development, regulatory approvals, market position and expenditures. All statements which address operating performance or events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to volume growth, sales and earnings per share growth, cash flows or uses and statements expressing views about future operating results — are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

 

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of future events. The forward-looking statements are and will be based on management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and speak only as of their dates. Investors should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections. Investors are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking

statements. Furthermore, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

 

The following are some important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking statements:

 

 

 

The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions, retirement of debt and other business opportunities.

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

 

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Earnings were calculated by adding income from continuing operations before income taxes; net capitalized interest (amortization of capitalized interest less interest capitalized for the period); and fixed charges. Fixed charges were calculated by adding total interest costs; interest allocable to rental expense; and amortization of debt expense.

We have not paid a preference security dividend for any of the periods presented.

 

 

This prospectus contains a summary of the securities that BD may sell. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However, this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

 

 

General

 

The following description of our capital stock is based upon our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and applicable provisions of law. We have summarized certain portions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws below. The summary is not complete. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws are incorporated by reference in the registration statement for these securities that we have filed with the SEC, and have been filed as exhibits to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. You should read the certificate of incorporation and bylaws for the provisions that are important to you.

 

We have 640,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 239,533,755 shares were outstanding as of March 31, 2009. We also have 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, but none were outstanding as of March 31, 2009.

 

Our bylaws deny stockholders the right to call a special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws also provide that only the Chairman of the Board, the President or the board of directors may call special meetings of the stockholders.

 

Common Stock

 

Listing

 

Our outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “BDX.” Any additional common stock we issue also will be listed on the NYSE.

 

Dividends

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of any funds legally available for dividends. We will pay dividends on our common stock only if we have paid or provided for dividends on any outstanding series of preferred stock for all prior periods. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of directors has provided, or may provide in the future with respect to any class or series of preferred stock that the board of directors may hereafter authorize. Shares of our common stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

 

Fully Paid

 

Outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional common stock we issue will also be fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as stockholders.

 

Other Rights

 

We will notify common shareholders of any shareholders’ meetings according to applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either voluntarily or not, common shareholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred shareholders. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase our shares of stock. Shares of common stock are not subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions and are not convertible into any of our other securities.

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors may, from time to time, authorize the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval.

 

The following description of the terms of the preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our authorized preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock, a description will be filed with the SEC and the specific designations and rights will be described in the prospectus supplement, including the following terms:

 

 

The description of the terms of the preferred stock to be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete and will be subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will include the certificate of amendment as an exhibit or incorporate it by reference.

 

Undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, any preferred stock issued may rank prior to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred stock.

 

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as well as certain provisions of New Jersey law, may make more difficult or discourage a takeover of our business.

 

Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation

 

We currently have the following provisions in our certificate of incorporation which could be considered “anti-takeover” provisions:

 

 

 

These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act

 

We are subject to Section 14A-10A of the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act, a type of anti-takeover statute designed to protect stockholders against coercive, unfair or inadequate tender offers and other abusive tactics and to encourage any person contemplating a business combination with us to negotiate with our board of directors for the fair and equitable treatment of all stockholders. Subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, the statute prohibits an interested stockholder of a corporation from effecting a business combination with the corporation for a period of five years unless the corporation’s board of directors approved the combination prior to the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. In addition, but not in limitation of the five-year restriction, if applicable, corporations covered by the New Jersey statute may not engage at any time in a business combination with any interested stockholder of that corporation unless the combination is approved by the board of directors prior to the interested stockholder’s stock acquisition date, the combination receives the approval of two-thirds of the voting stock of the corporation not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or the combination meets minimum financial terms specified by the statute.

 

An “interested stockholder” is defined to include any beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any affiliate or associate of the corporation who within the prior five year period has at any time owned 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation.

 

The term “business combination” is defined broadly to include, among other things:

 

 

The effect of the statute is to protect non-tendering, post-acquisition minority stockholders from mergers in which they will be “squeezed out” after the merger, by prohibiting transactions in which an acquirer could favor itself at the expense of minority stockholders. The statute generally applies to corporations that are organized under New Jersey law, have either, as of the date that the interested stockholder first becomes an interested stockholder of the corporation, their principal executive offices or significant business operations located in New Jersey, and have a class of stock registered or traded on a national securities exchange or registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

The following description sets forth general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may offer. The prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of the debt securities being offered and the extent to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under the indenture, dated March 1, 1997, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N. A., as trustee. A copy of the indenture is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus and you should refer to the indenture for provisions that may be important to you.

 

General

 

The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities we can issue. The indenture provides that debt securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series.

 

The prospectus relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

 

 

The debt securities will be issued in registered form without coupons unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or board resolution. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, principal (unless the context otherwise requires, “principal” includes premium, if any) of and any interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the debt securities will be exchangeable and transfers thereof will be registrable, at an office or agency designated for the debt securities, provided that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the security register. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, such services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Debt securities may be issued under the indenture as original issue discount securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from the principal amount. If any debt securities are original issue discount securities, special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may apply and will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. “Original Issue Discount Security” means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity due to the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

 

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

 

We have agreed not to consolidate or merge with any other person, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets as an entirety unless:

 

 

Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, lease or other disposition, the surviving corporation will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power that we have under the indenture and under the debt securities.

 

Events of Default

 

The following are “events of default” under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:

 

 

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may require us to repay immediately:

 

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on that acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, waive all defaults with respect to that series and rescind and annul the acceleration.

 

We are required to furnish to the trustee annually an Officer’s Certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. We must notify the trustee within five days of any default or event of default.

 

The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 60 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the debt securities of any series, give to the holders of the debt securities notice of all defaults. In certain instances, the trustee may withhold that notice if and so long as a responsible officer in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities. By “default” we mean any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an event of default.

 

The indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

 

Subject to the further conditions contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the debt securities of any series may waive, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, any past default or event of default and its consequences except a default or event of default:

 

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any provisions for events of default applicable to the debt securities of any series in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of, the provisions described above.

 

Covenants

 

We have agreed to some restrictions on our activities for the benefit of holders of the debt securities. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the restrictive covenants summarized below will apply so long as any of the debt securities are outstanding, unless the covenants are waived or amended. The prospectus supplement may contain different covenants. We have provided the definitions to define the capitalized words used in describing the covenants.

 

Definitions

 

“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to a lease, the total net amount of rent (discounted at a rate per annum equivalent to the interest rate inherent in such lease, as we determine in good faith, compounded semiannually) required to be paid during the remaining term of such lease, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting (i) all current liabilities (excluding any liabilities constituting funded debt by reason of being renewable or extendible), (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, (iii) investments in and

advances to subsidiaries which are not Restricted Subsidiaries, and (iv) minority interests in the equity of Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Funded Debt” means all indebtedness for borrowed money maturing more than 12 months after the time of computation thereof, guarantees of such indebtedness of others (except guarantees of collection arising in the ordinary course of business), and all obligations in respect of lease rentals which, under generally accepted accounting principles, are shown on a balance sheet as a non-current liability.

 

“Principal Property” means any building, structure or other facility (together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof) now owned or hereafter acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary and used primarily for manufacturing, processing or warehousing and located in the United States (excluding its territories and possessions, but including Puerto Rico), the gross book value (without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which is in excess of 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, other than any such building, structure or other facility or portion which, in the opinion of our board of directors, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary that substantially all of the property and operations of which are located in the United States (excluding its territories and possessions, but including Puerto Rico), and which owns or leases a Principal Property, except a subsidiary which is primarily engaged in the business of a finance company.

 

“Subsidiary” means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more other subsidiaries, or by us and by one or more other subsidiaries.

 

Restrictions on Secured Debt

 

If we or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes or guarantees any debt secured by a mortgage on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or debt of any Restricted Subsidiary, we will secure, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to secure, the debt securities (and, if we choose, any other debt of ours or that Restricted Subsidiary which is not subordinate to the debt securities) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such secured debt. However, we may incur secured debt without securing this debt, if the aggregate amount of all such debt so secured, together with all our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ Attributable Debt in respect of certain sale and leaseback transactions involving Principal Properties, would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. This restriction will not apply to, and we will exclude from our calculation of secured debt for the purposes of this restriction, debt secured by:

 

 

Restrictions on Sale and Leasebacks

 

We have agreed that we will not, and we will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving the taking back of a lease, for a period of three or more years, of any Principal Property, the acquisition, completion of construction or commencement of full operation of which has occurred more than 120 days prior thereto, unless:

 

 

(i) the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property and

 

(ii) the fair market value of the Principal Property, or

 

 

These restrictions will not apply to any sale and leaseback transactions between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between a Restricted Subsidiary and another Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

Under the indenture we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities in order to:

 

 

We and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, amend the indenture and the debt securities of any series for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any provisions of the indenture or modifying the rights of holders of debt securities under the indenture. However, without the consent of each holder of any debt security affected, we may not amend or modify the indenture to:

 

 

 

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

When we use the term “defeasance,” we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. Unless the terms of the debt securities of any series provide otherwise, we may elect either:

 

 

 

 

upon (or, with respect to defeasance of debt securities payable later than one year from the date of defeasance, on the 91st day after) the deposit with the trustee, in trust for that purpose, of money and/or U.S. Government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient without reinvestment to pay the principal of and interest on the debt securities.

 

As a condition to defeasance of any debt securities of any series payable later than one year from the time of defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel and/or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of that defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

We may exercise either defeasance option with respect to the debt securities of any series notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our defeasance option, payment of the debt securities of any series may not be accelerated because of a default or an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the debt securities of any series may not be accelerated by reason of an event of default with respect to the covenants to which the covenant defeasance applies. If acceleration were to occur by reason of another event of default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and U.S. Government obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on the debt securities. In other words, the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors. We will, however, remain liable for such payments at the time of the acceleration.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

 

We maintain a banking relationship with the trustee. An affiliate of the trustee is also one of the broker-dealers we use in connection with our share repurchase program.

 

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement.

 

The prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

 

 

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

 

 

We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a specified or varying number of securities, currencies or commodities at a purchase price, which may be based on a formula, at a future date. Alternatively, we may issue purchase contracts obligating us to purchase from holders, and obligating holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of securities, currencies or commodities at a purchase price, which may be based on a formula, at a future date. We may be entitled to satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of that purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell those securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract. The purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of units.

 

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or deferred basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the contracts in a specified manner to be described in the prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued.

 

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, shares of common stock or any combination of these securities, or securities of other entities. The prospectus supplement will describe:

 

 

Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Registered global securities

 

The debt securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global debt securities that are registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or its nominee, as depositary, unless another depositary is designated for the debt securities of that series. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, debt securities in definitive form will not be issued. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form, it may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the depositary for that global security to a nominee of the depositary.

 

Upon the issuance of any global security, and its deposit with or on behalf of the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions, the participants that are entitled to the registered global security that have accounts with the depositary designated by the underwriters or their agents engaging in any distribution of the debt securities. The depositary advises that pursuant to procedures established by it:

 

 

The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and these laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.

 

As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or its nominee, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not:

 

 

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person holds its interest, in order to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities under the indenture. The depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder of debt securities is entitled to give or take under the indenture.

 

We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders of debt securities or any owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder of debt securities is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give that notice or take that action, and the participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through them to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of the beneficial owners owning through them.

 

The depositary or a nominee thereof, as holder of record of a global security, will be entitled to receive payments of principal and interest for payment to beneficial owners in accordance with customary procedures established from time to time by the depositary. The agent for the payment, transfer and exchange of the securities is the trustee, acting through its corporate trust office located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

 

We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of a global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective

beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the responsibility of the participants. We, the trustee, our agents and the trustee’s agents shall not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

 

If we determine that debt securities will no longer be maintained as global securities, or, if at any time an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, or if the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue debt securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for the registered global securities.

 

In the event that the book-entry system is discontinued, the following provisions shall apply. The trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture shall keep a register for the debt securities in definitive certificated form at its corporate trust office. Subject to the further conditions contained in the indenture, debt securities in definitive certificated form may be transferred or exchanged for one or more debt securities in different authorized denominations upon surrender of the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture by the registered holders or their duly authorized attorneys. Upon surrender of any debt security to be transferred or exchanged, the trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture shall record the transfer or exchange in the security register and we will issue, and the trustee shall authenticate and deliver, new debt securities in definitive certificated form appropriately registered and in appropriate authorized denominations. The trustee shall be entitled to treat the registered holders of the debt securities in definitive certificated form, as their names appear in the security register as of the appropriate date, as the owners of the debt securities for all purposes under the indenture.

 

BD may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:

 

 

The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

 

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

If we use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

 

 

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

 

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from BD at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with BD to indemnification by BD against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters or agents may be required to make. Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for BD and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

Each series of securities other than the common stock, which is listed on the NYSE, will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement with respect to any securities, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Jeffrey S. Sherman, our Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Becton, Dickinson and Company incorporated by reference in Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2008 (including the schedule appearing therein) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, incorporated by reference therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

$     

 

Becton, Dickinson and Company

 

$     % Notes due November      , 2020

$     % Notes due November      , 2040

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT