Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Receives $19.73 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages

Shares of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) have been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $19.7273.

Several research firms recently commented on BAX. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Baxter International from $17.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a report on Friday, May 15th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Baxter International from $20.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Baxter International from $22.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Friday, May 1st.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BAX. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Finally, McMillan Office Inc. acquired a new position in Baxter International during the fourth quarter worth $54,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Baxter International Trading Up 2.3%

Shares of Baxter International stock opened at $22.04 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $11.38 billion, a PE ratio of -10.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $18.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.99. Baxter International has a 1 year low of $15.73 and a 1 year high of $31.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

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

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

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

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.