Baxter International (BAX) Competitors

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) and Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, community ranking, media sentiment, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Do analysts rate BAX or BDX?

Baxter International presently has a consensus price target of $37.25, indicating a potential upside of 18.40%. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a consensus price target of $231.44, indicating a potential upside of 30.97%. Given Becton, Dickinson and Company's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Becton, Dickinson and Company is more favorable than Baxter International.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Baxter International	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.44
Becton, Dickinson and Company	0 Sell rating(s)	6 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.45

Which has more volatility and risk, BAX or BDX?

Baxter International has a beta of 0.63, meaning that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Becton, Dickinson and Company has a beta of 0.31, meaning that its share price is 69% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Is BAX or BDX a better dividend stock?

Baxter International pays an annual dividend of $0.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays an annual dividend of $4.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Baxter International pays out -61.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays out 79.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Becton, Dickinson and Company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years. Becton, Dickinson and Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Does the media favor BAX or BDX?

In the previous week, Becton, Dickinson and Company had 26 more articles in the media than Baxter International. MarketBeat recorded 33 mentions for Becton, Dickinson and Company and 7 mentions for Baxter International. Becton, Dickinson and Company's average media sentiment score of 1.45 beat Baxter International's score of 1.11 indicating that Becton, Dickinson and Company is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Baxter International	5 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	1 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Becton, Dickinson and Company	27 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Does the MarketBeat Community favor BAX or BDX?

Baxter International received 131 more outperform votes than Becton, Dickinson and Company when rated by MarketBeat users. Likewise, 65.57% of users gave Baxter International an outperform vote while only 62.09% of users gave Becton, Dickinson and Company an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Baxter International	Outperform Votes 737 65.57%	Underperform Votes 387 34.43%
Becton, Dickinson and Company	Outperform Votes 606 62.09%	Underperform Votes 370 37.91%

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of BAX or BDX?

90.2% of Baxter International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.0% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Baxter International shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Which has preferable earnings and valuation, BAX or BDX?

Becton, Dickinson and Company has higher revenue and earnings than Baxter International. Baxter International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Becton, Dickinson and Company, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Baxter International	$10.77B	1.50	-$649M	-$1.10	-28.60
Becton, Dickinson and Company	$20.87B	2.43	$1.71B	$5.24	33.73

Is BAX or BDX more profitable?

Becton, Dickinson and Company has a net margin of 8.47% compared to Baxter International's net margin of -5.05%. Baxter International's return on equity of 16.67% beat Becton, Dickinson and Company's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Baxter International	-5.05%	16.67%	4.93%
Becton, Dickinson and Company	8.47%	15.74%	7.29%

Summary

Becton, Dickinson and Company beats Baxter International on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.