Jefferies Financial Group Cuts Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Price Target to $19.00

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its price target trimmed by Jefferies Financial Group from $21.00 to $19.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $24.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Evercore dropped their price target on Baxter International from $24.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Argus lowered Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $20.10.

Baxter International Trading Up 5.8%

NYSE:BAX opened at $19.80 on Friday. 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 1.56, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.16. The company has a market capitalization of $10.19 billion, a PE ratio of -10.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.59.

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

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Gendell Jeffrey L purchased a new stake in Baxter International in the 4th quarter valued at about $8,525,000. McMillan Office Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $54,000. Vestor Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Baxter International by 1,340.3% in the fourth quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 40,645 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $777,000 after acquiring an additional 37,823 shares during the last quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Baxter International by 12.4% in the fourth quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC now owns 10,487 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 1,158 shares during the period. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Baxter International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $46,000. 90.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Baxter International

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)

Baxter International Company Profile

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.