Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Analysts

Shares of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $19.7273.

A number of research analysts have commented on BAX shares. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Baxter International from $22.00 to $20.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Baxter International from $20.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 7th. Zacks Research raised Baxter International from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 13th.

Baxter International Stock Down 2.0%

BAX stock opened at $18.41 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $17.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.78. Baxter International has a 1-year low of $15.73 and a 1-year high of $32.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.51 billion, a PE ratio of -8.64, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.64.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $2.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.62 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.62 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 1.92 EPS for the current year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1.88%.

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 2nd quarter valued at $46,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Finally, McMillan Office Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. 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.