Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $43.36 Million Stake in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) by 79.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,121,434 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 498,007 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.22% of Baxter International worth $43,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BAX. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 11.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 10,836,563 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $408,992,000 after buying an additional 1,098,787 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Baxter International by 69.0% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,491,343 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $244,983,000 after acquiring an additional 2,650,959 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 3rd quarter worth $215,935,000. Carmignac Gestion increased its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 467.0% in the 3rd quarter. Carmignac Gestion now owns 4,848,773 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $182,992,000 after purchasing an additional 3,993,537 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 1.0% in the third quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 3,151,515 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $118,938,000 after purchasing an additional 30,477 shares during the period. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE BAX traded down $0.27 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $40.37. 3,325,486 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,617,823. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $41.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.50 billion, a PE ratio of 7.78, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.62. Baxter International Inc. has a 1-year low of $31.01 and a 1-year high of $50.21.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.02. Baxter International had a return on equity of 19.49% and a net margin of 17.77%. The business had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Baxter International Inc. will post 2.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were paid a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.87%. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.22%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BAX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Baxter International from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. UBS Group decreased their target price on Baxter International from $40.00 to $36.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Baxter International from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Baxter International has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $46.30.

Baxter International 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.