Revenue during the quarter went down marginally by 2.14 percent to $2,922 million from $2,986 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 254 basis points over the previous year period to 49.69 percent. Total expenses were 72.25 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 88.21 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 1597 basis points in operating margin to 27.75 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $811 million, compared with $352 million in the previous year period.

"We are very pleased with our strong start to fiscal year 2017," said Vincent A. Forlenza, chairman, chief executive officer and president. "Our results this quarter continue to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of the growth drivers within our portfolio. Our first quarter performance, combined with our current outlook, gives us the confidence to raise our currency-neutral earnings guidance for fiscal year 2017."

For financial year 2017, Becton, Dickinson and Company projects revenue to decline in the range of 3.50 percent to 4 percent. It forecasts diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $7.90 to $8. It forecasts diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $9.35 to $9.45 on adjusted basis for the same period.