BlackRock Inc. Makes New $1.74 Billion Investment in Baxter International Inc. $BAX

Key Points

• BlackRock initiated a major Baxter International position, purchasing 81.8 million shares worth approximately $1.74 billion and owning about 15.83% of the company. Institutional investors collectively own 90.19% of Baxter’s stock.
• Baxter reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with earnings of $0.56 per share versus the $0.37 consensus estimate and revenue of $2.96 billion, up 5.3% year over year. The company maintained fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $1.95–$2.15.
• Shares opened at $26.61, up 2.6%, while analysts remain cautious: Baxter has a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $22.45. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share, yielding about 0.2% annually.

BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 81,842,105 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock, valued at approximately $1,744,874,000. BlackRock Inc. owned about 15.83% of Baxter International at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 7.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,510,205 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $257,174,000 after buying an additional 972,891 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in Baxter International by 1.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Baxter International by 35.6% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,410,689 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $65,216,000 after acquiring an additional 894,761 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC increased its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 3,328,202 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $63,602,000 after purchasing an additional 356,612 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the second quarter worth $68,036,000. 90.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International Stock Up 2.6%

Baxter International stock opened at $26.61 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $13.76 billion, a PE ratio of -12.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.92 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.95. Baxter International Inc. has a one year low of $15.73 and a one year high of $30.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $23.40 and a 200 day moving average of $20.27.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $2.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.80 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.57% and a negative net margin of 9.27%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Baxter International Inc. will post 2.04 EPS for the current year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.01 per share. 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 currently -1.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Zacks Research raised Baxter International from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Baxter International from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Baxter International currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $22.45.

Baxter International 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.

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