Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 1.850-2.050 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 1.930. The company issued revenue guidance of $11.2 billion-$11.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $11.3 billion.

Baxter International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BAX traded up $0.08 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $17.32. 5,432,274 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,803,112. The company has a market capitalization of $8.94 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $15.73 and a 52-week high of $32.68. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $18.82 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.69.

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

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th were paid a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. Baxter International’s payout ratio is -2.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays reduced their target price on Baxter International from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Wall Street Zen cut Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Baxter International from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $19.80.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Baxter International in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in Baxter International in the second quarter worth approximately $46,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $46,000. McMillan Office Inc. purchased a new stake in Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Baxter International by 113.3% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,971 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 2,109 shares during the last quarter. 90.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.