Zacks Research Analysts Decrease Earnings Estimates for BAX

Key Points

• Zacks Research cut its Q1 2026 EPS estimate for Baxter to $0.31 from $0.35 and maintains a Hold rating on the stock.
• Several major brokers (Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Jefferies) have lowered price targets into the $17–$19 range, leaving the consensus analyst rating at Hold with an average target of about $19.80.
• Baxter last reported EPS of $0.44 (missing estimates by $0.09) while beating revenue expectations at $2.97 billion, and provided FY2026 guidance of $1.85–$2.05 EPS.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for Baxter International in a report released on Thursday, April 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the medical instruments supplier will earn $0.31 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.35. 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. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Baxter International's Q2 2026 earnings at $0.43 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.53 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.61 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.88 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.36 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.61 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.02 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.17 EPS.

Several other research firms have also commented on BAX. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Baxter International in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $19.80.

Baxter International Stock Up 0.4%

BAX stock opened at $17.32 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $8.94 billion, a PE ratio of -9.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.31. The firm's fifty day moving average is $18.77 and its 200 day moving average is $19.68. Baxter International has a one year low of $15.73 and a one year high of $32.68.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 8.51% and a positive return on equity of 16.95%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.58 EPS. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baxter International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the third quarter worth about $27,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the second quarter worth about $40,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the second quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. 90.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th were paid a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -2.16%.

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.

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