Anchor Investment Management LLC Acquires 9,043 Shares of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX)

Anchor Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) by 79.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,463 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 9,043 shares during the quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC's holdings in Baxter International were worth $597,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. CKW Financial Group raised its holdings in Baxter International by 19.3% during the 4th quarter. CKW Financial Group now owns 2,625 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in Baxter International by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 13,618 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $397,000 after acquiring an additional 752 shares during the last quarter. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new position in Baxter International in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Riverview Trust Co boosted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 5,488.2% during the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 950 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 61.2% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 4,060 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $118,000 after acquiring an additional 1,541 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.19% of the company's stock.

Baxter International Trading Down 1.8 %

NYSE BAX traded down $0.52 on Monday, hitting $28.37. The company's stock had a trading volume of 985,636 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,532,836. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. Baxter International Inc. has a 1-year low of $26.25 and a 1-year high of $41.18. The firm has a market cap of $14.55 billion, a PE ratio of -22.16, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.64. The company's 50-day moving average is $32.49 and its 200 day moving average is $32.62.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.06. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.67% and a negative net margin of 5.05%. The firm had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.67 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Baxter International Inc. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.40%. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio is currently -53.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Argus raised Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Baxter International in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Baxter International from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Baxter International from $38.00 to $36.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $38.56.

Baxter International Company Profile

Baxter International Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, and Kidney Care. The company offers sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; surgical hemostat and sealant products, advanced surgical equipment; smart bed systems; patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies; and respiratory health devices, as well as advanced equipment for the surgical space, including surgical video technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories.