Equities Analysts Offer Predictions for BAX Q4 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks nudged its Q4 EPS estimate slightly to $0.58 but trimmed multiple near‑term forecasts and kept a "Hold;" several other analysts have cut price targets and the consensus rating on BAX is currently Hold with an average target of $19.80.
• Baxter recently missed EPS ($0.44 vs. $0.53 expected) while beating revenue ($2.97B), and issued FY2026 guidance of $1.85–$2.05 EPS, which sits slightly below the consensus midpoint as shares trade near $17.13.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q4 2027 earnings per share estimates for shares of Baxter International in a research report issued on Thursday, April 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the medical instruments supplier will earn $0.58 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.57. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Baxter International's current full-year earnings is $2.48 per share.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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). The business had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.95% and a negative net margin of 8.51%.The company's revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.58 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on BAX. Evercore decreased their target price on Baxter International from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Barclays decreased their target price 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. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Baxter International in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Baxter International currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $19.80.

Baxter International Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE BAX opened at $17.13 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $8.84 billion, a PE ratio of -9.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $15.73 and a 52-week high of $32.68. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $18.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.59.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baxter International

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BAX. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 14.4% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,448 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $124,000 after acquiring an additional 686 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Baxter International by 9.5% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 8,014 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $153,000 after buying an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 22.8% during the 4th quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 4,452 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 827 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 15,968 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $305,000 after buying an additional 854 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 46,913 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $897,000 after buying an additional 943 shares during the last quarter. 90.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th were paid 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 of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio is -2.16%.

Baxter International News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Baxter International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its Q4 2026 EPS view to $0.61 (from $0.59), a modest upside for the late‑year quarter.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also nudged its FY2028 EPS estimate higher to $2.17 (from $2.12), signaling slightly improved longer‑term expectations.
• Neutral Sentiment: Baxter scheduled its Q1 2026 earnings call for Apr 30 — a key event for fresh revenue and margin details. Conference Call Announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut multiple near‑term quarterly EPS estimates (Q1–Q3 2026 and Q1–Q3 2027) and lowered FY2026 to $1.88 (from $1.93) and FY2027 to $2.02 (from $2.08); the firm retains a "Hold" rating — pressure on near‑term growth expectations.
• Negative Sentiment: Evercore trimmed its price target on BAX to $22. Evercore Price Target Cut
• Negative Sentiment: Baxter's FY2026 EPS guidance of $1.85–$2.05 sits slightly below the consensus midpoint (~$1.93); revenue guidance ~$11.2B–$11.4B is roughly in line but the lower EPS range reinforces investor caution.

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.

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