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 1.950-2.150 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share 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.

Baxter International Trading Up 7.6%

BAX stock traded up $1.88 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $26.65. 22,670,769 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,420,038. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $15.73 and a 52-week high of $30.00. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $21.20 and its 200-day moving average is $19.56. The company has a market cap of $13.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.91, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $2.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.80 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.15% and a negative net margin of 9.70%.Baxter International’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.59 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Baxter International will post 1.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BAX has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Baxter International from $19.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Zacks Research cut Baxter International from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Citigroup downgraded Baxter International from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $19.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, May 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Baxter International from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Baxter International currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $21.09.

More Baxter International News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Baxter reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.56 per share, exceeding the $0.36–$0.37 analyst consensus, while revenue rose 5.3% year over year to $2.96 billion, above expectations of approximately $2.80 billion. Baxter Reports Second-Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $1.95–$2.15, from a prior range of $1.85–$2.05, and forecast revenue of $11.6–$11.7 billion, above the roughly $11.4 billion consensus. Robust demand for IV solutions and broad-based segment growth supported the improved outlook. Baxter raises annual profit forecast on strong demand for IV solutions
• Positive Sentiment: Management said results benefited from operating improvements and an additional tariff refund that was not included in its earlier guidance, reinforcing the view that Baxter’s turnaround is progressing. Baxter Jumps After Q2 Beat, Boosted 2026 Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Despite the earnings and revenue beats, adjusted earnings declined from $0.59 per share a year earlier, and margins contracted amid tariff and inflationary cost pressures. Investors will likely monitor whether the stronger outlook can be achieved without continued one-time benefits.
• Negative Sentiment: Baxter recently recalled certain antibiotic IV bags after cardboard material was reportedly found in the solution. The recall could create limited product-liability, operational, or reputational concerns, although it has not overshadowed the earnings-driven reaction. Baxter issues recall of antibiotic IV bags

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in Baxter International by 5.5% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 53,933 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $1,633,000 after purchasing an additional 2,813 shares in the last quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury grew its stake in shares of Baxter International by 99.1% in the 4th quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 111,858 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $2,245,000 after purchasing an additional 55,674 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 160,033 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $3,644,000 after buying an additional 993 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,862,000. Finally, Gendell Jeffrey L bought a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $8,525,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.