Baxter International (NYSE:BAX – Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.950-2.150 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.920. The company issued revenue guidance of $11.6 billion-$11.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $11.4 billion.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research firms recently commented on BAX. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday. TD Cowen increased their target price on Baxter International from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings raised Baxter International from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Baxter International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $17.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $22.45.
Get Our Latest Analysis on Baxter International
Baxter International Price Performance
Baxter International (NYSE:BAX – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.19. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 9.70% and a positive return on equity of 16.15%. The firm had revenue of $2.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Baxter International will post 1.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Baxter International Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be 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 is Friday, August 28th. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1.88%.
Trending Headlines about Baxter International
Here are the key news stories impacting Baxter International this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q2 earnings and revenue beat expectations. Baxter reported adjusted earnings of $0.56 per share versus consensus of roughly $0.36-$0.37, while revenue reached $2.96 billion against estimates near $2.80 billion. Sales increased 5.3% year over year, supported by demand for IV solutions, drug compounding and other medical products. Reuters article
- Positive Sentiment: Management raised its 2026 guidance. Baxter now expects adjusted EPS of $1.95-$2.15 and revenue of $11.6-$11.7 billion, above analyst expectations of approximately $1.92 EPS and $11.4 billion in revenue. The outlook benefited from operating improvements, strong demand and an unexpected tariff refund. Baxter second-quarter results
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment improved. Citigroup upgraded BAX from “sell” to “neutral” and raised its price target from $17 to $28. Wells Fargo also lifted its target from $19 to $23, although it maintained an “equal weight” rating. These moves suggest the turnaround is gaining credibility, even as analysts remain cautious.
- Neutral Sentiment: Baxter declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share. The dividend is payable October 1 to shareholders of record August 28, with a stated annualized yield of approximately 0.2%. The payout provides limited income support relative to the stock’s recent rally.
- Negative Sentiment: Profitability remains a concern. Although the earnings beat was substantial, quarterly EPS declined from $0.59 a year earlier, and reports noted contracting margins. Wells Fargo’s $23 target remains below the recent trading level, while the broader analyst view is still neutral following significant underperformance over the past year.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BAX. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S increased its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 21.4% in the 2nd quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 24,356 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $737,000 after buying an additional 4,293 shares during the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth $748,000. Vestor Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 1,340.3% during the 4th 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. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Baxter International by 3.2% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 52,436 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $1,588,000 after acquiring an additional 1,604 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in Baxter International by 0.6% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 160,033 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $3,644,000 after acquiring an additional 993 shares during the last quarter. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
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.
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