Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Here’s Why

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $17.00 and last traded at $17.14, with a volume of 1578067 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.69.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on BAX shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Baxter International from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Baxter International from $19.00 to $15.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Barclays lowered their price target on Baxter International from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Evercore cut their price objective on Baxter International from $24.00 to $23.00 in a report on Monday, January 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Baxter International currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $20.10.

Baxter International Stock Down 2.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.31. The firm has a market cap of $8.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.43, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.58. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $20.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.73.

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

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury increased its holdings in 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 worth $2,245,000 after acquiring an additional 55,674 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Baxter International by 5.7% in 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 during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Baxter International by 35.6% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,410,689 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $65,216,000 after purchasing an additional 894,761 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of Baxter International by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 49,035 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $937,000 after purchasing an additional 2,496 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth about $748,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.