Zacks Research Issues Negative Estimate for BAX Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research lowered Baxter International’s Q4 2026 EPS estimate to $0.60 from $0.62 and maintained a “Hold” rating. Its full-year 2026 consensus estimate is $2.04 per share.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly neutral, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $22.45, despite several brokerages recently raising their targets.
• Baxter reported stronger-than-expected latest-quarter results, posting $0.56 EPS and $2.96 billion in revenue, while issuing FY 2026 EPS guidance of $1.95–$2.15.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q4 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Baxter International in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, August 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings per share of $0.60 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.62. Zacks Research has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Baxter International's current full-year earnings is $2.04 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Baxter International's Q1 2027 earnings at $0.42 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.52 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.42 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.51 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.11 EPS.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on BAX. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Baxter International from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $22.45.

Baxter International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAX opened at $26.37 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $23.51 and a 200-day moving average of $20.32. Baxter International has a 12 month low of $15.73 and a 12 month high of $30.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.63 billion, a PE ratio of -12.74, a PEG ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 0.60.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $2.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.57% and a negative net margin of 9.27%.The company's revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.59 EPS. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be given 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 is Friday, August 28th. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -1.93%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Baxter International during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new stake in Baxter International during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in Baxter International in the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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