UNITED STATES 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) November 4, 2004 ---------------- BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) New Jersey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 001-4802 22-0760120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (201) 847-6800 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code N/A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K Filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On November 4, 2004, Becton, Dickinson and Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits. Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated November 4, 2004, which is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02. 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 -------------------------------- Dean J. Paranicas Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Public Policy Date: November 4, 2004 INDEX TO EXHIBITS ----------------- Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits ------ ----------------------- 99.1 Press release dated November 4, 2004, which is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02. STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES The trademark symbol shall be expressed as...............................'TM'