Zacks Research Upgrades Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) to “Hold”

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) was upgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Baxter International’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.37 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.52 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.62 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.87 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.38 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.40 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.55 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $1.91 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.40 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.14 EPS.

BAX has been the topic of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Baxter International from $17.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Baxter International from $20.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Friday, May 1st. TD Cowen cut their price target on Baxter International from $22.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Citigroup cut their price target on Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $19.91.

Baxter International Price Performance

Shares of Baxter International stock opened at $19.42 on Monday. Baxter International has a one year low of $15.73 and a one year high of $32.04. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $17.54 and its 200 day moving average is $18.75. The stock has a market cap of $10.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.12, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.85.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.05. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.15% and a negative net margin of 9.70%.The company had revenue of $2.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.62 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.62 EPS. Baxter International’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 1.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Baxter International by 14.4% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,448 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $124,000 after buying an additional 686 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Baxter International by 9.5% during the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 8,014 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $153,000 after purchasing an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Baxter International by 22.8% during the fourth quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 4,452 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 827 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Baxter International by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 15,968 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 854 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. grew its position in shares of Baxter International by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 46,913 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $897,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

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.