Q4 EPS Forecast for Baxter International Lowered by Analyst

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) – Zacks Research reduced their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Baxter International in a note issued to investors on Thursday, August 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the medical instruments supplier will earn $0.60 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.62. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Baxter International’s current full-year earnings is $2.04 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Baxter International’s Q1 2027 earnings at $0.42 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.52 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.42 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.51 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.11 EPS.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.19. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.57% and a negative net margin of 9.27%.The company had revenue of $2.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on BAX. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Baxter International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Baxter International from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Baxter International from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $22.45.

Baxter International Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of NYSE:BAX opened at $26.37 on Friday. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $15.73 and a 52-week high of $30.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $23.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.95. The firm has a market cap of $13.63 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.74, a PEG ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 0.60.

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be given 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 is Friday, August 28th. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1.93%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baxter International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Baxter International by 3.2% during the 2nd 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 during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Baxter International by 2.9% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 649,463 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $19,666,000 after purchasing an additional 18,439 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Baxter International by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 7,638,629 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $231,304,000 after acquiring an additional 97,687 shares during the period. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 24,356 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $737,000 after purchasing an additional 4,293 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in shares of Baxter International by 5.5% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 53,933 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $1,633,000 after buying an additional 2,813 shares during the period. 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.