Barclays Cuts Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Price Target to $25.00

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its price target cut by Barclays from $30.00 to $25.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $24.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Zacks Research cut shares of Baxter International from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $21.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Baxter International from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Baxter International from $25.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $20.10.

Baxter International Stock Up 5.8%

BAX stock opened at $19.80 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $10.19 billion, a PE ratio of -10.70, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.31. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $19.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.16. Baxter International has a one year low of $17.40 and a one year high of $37.74.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.09). Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.95% and a negative net margin of 8.51%.The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.58 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 2.48 EPS for the current year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -2.16%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV raised its holdings in Baxter International by 169.6% in the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 984 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 619 shares in the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in Baxter International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

Key Baxter International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Baxter International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays kept an “overweight” rating and set a $25 price target (still a meaningful upside vs current levels), which can attract buyers and help stabilize the stock. Barclays adjusts Baxter International price target to $25 from $30, maintains overweight rating
• Positive Sentiment: Baxter reported revenue of $2.97B (beat estimates) and sales growth across segments, which some investors see as evidence demand is intact despite margin stress — a reason for selective buying into the dip. Baxter Reports Fourth-Quarter 2025 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Elevated short interest has been reported, which can amplify moves (short covering can fuel rallies but also increases volatility). That dynamic may explain some of today’s upside but is not a fundamental improvement. Looking Into Baxter International Inc’s Recent Short Interest
• Neutral Sentiment: Baxter declared a nominal quarterly dividend ($0.01 per share); it’s unlikely to move the stock materially but provides a small income signal to some investors.
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed expectations ($0.44 vs. $0.53 consensus) and margins contracted — the earnings miss triggered the initial sell‑off and remains a negative catalyst. Baxter Posts Wider 4Q Loss, Says Results Missed Expectations
• Negative Sentiment: FY‑2026 EPS guidance (1.85–2.05) came in below Wall Street expectations (consensus ~2.28), largely blamed on manufacturing disruptions from Hurricane Helene — a clear reason for ongoing investor caution. Baxter forecast 2026 profit below estimates The Specter of Hurricane Helene Still Haunts Baxter’s Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts trimmed price targets and some ratings were reduced (Jefferies lowered its PT to $19 and kept a “hold”), signaling lingering analyst concern and pressure on sentiment. Jefferies adjusts Baxter International PT to $19 from $21, maintains hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts and commentators highlight margin compression, higher debt levels and the company’s difficult FY26 outlook — factors that could limit recovery until management proves margin improvement. Baxter International: Debt, Margin Pressure, Dreadful FY26 Guidance (Downgrade)

About Baxter International

Baxter International Inc is a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products, pharmaceutical therapies and biotechnology-based solutions. The company’s primary business activities are organized around renal care, medication delivery, acute therapies, pharmacy automation, surgical care and biotechnology. Baxter’s offerings are designed to support patient care in hospitals, dialysis centers, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities worldwide.

In the renal care segment, Baxter provides hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis systems, water treatment equipment and related disposables, including dialyzers, bloodlines and catheters.