Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) has received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the fourteen research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, ten have assigned a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $22.50.

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup lowered their price target on Baxter International from $26.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Baxter International from $25.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Baxter International from $25.00 to $21.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Baxter International in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th.

Baxter International Stock Up 0.1%

BAX stock opened at $18.87 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.70 billion, a PE ratio of -28.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.61. Baxter International has a 52 week low of $17.40 and a 52 week high of $37.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $20.57 and a 200 day moving average of $24.93.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.88 billion. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 3.09% and a positive return on equity of 17.38%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.520-0.570 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 2.350-2.400 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Baxter International will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Baxter International Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. Baxter International’s payout ratio is currently -6.06%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baxter International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Baxter International during the second quarter worth $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Baxter International during the third quarter worth $27,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its position in Baxter International by 169.6% during the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 984 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 619 shares during the period. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

About Baxter International

Baxter International Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, and Kidney Care. The company offers sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; surgical hemostat and sealant products, advanced surgical equipment; smart bed systems; patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies; and respiratory health devices, as well as advanced equipment for the surgical space, including surgical video technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories.