Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Given New $17.00 Price Target at The Goldman Sachs Group

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its price objective trimmed by The Goldman Sachs Group from $21.00 to $17.00 in a research report released on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on BAX. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $15.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $26.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating on shares of Baxter International in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Baxter International has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $20.10.

Baxter International Trading Up 5.8%

Shares of BAX opened at $19.80 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $19.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.59. Baxter International has a 12-month low of $17.40 and a 12-month high of $37.74.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.31% and a negative net margin of 8.51%.Baxter International’s 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. As a group, research analysts predict that Baxter International will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. Baxter International’s payout ratio is -2.16%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Baxter International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Baxter International in the second quarter worth $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Baxter International in the third quarter worth $27,000. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its stake in shares of Baxter International by 169.6% in the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 984 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 619 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

Key Baxter International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Baxter International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays kept an “overweight” rating and set a $25 price target (still a meaningful upside vs current levels), which can attract buyers and help stabilize the stock. Barclays adjusts Baxter International price target to $25 from $30, maintains overweight rating
• Positive Sentiment: Baxter reported revenue of $2.97B (beat estimates) and sales growth across segments, which some investors see as evidence demand is intact despite margin stress — a reason for selective buying into the dip. Baxter Reports Fourth-Quarter 2025 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Elevated short interest has been reported, which can amplify moves (short covering can fuel rallies but also increases volatility). That dynamic may explain some of today’s upside but is not a fundamental improvement. Looking Into Baxter International Inc’s Recent Short Interest
• Neutral Sentiment: Baxter declared a nominal quarterly dividend ($0.01 per share); it’s unlikely to move the stock materially but provides a small income signal to some investors.
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed expectations ($0.44 vs. $0.53 consensus) and margins contracted — the earnings miss triggered the initial sell‑off and remains a negative catalyst. Baxter Posts Wider 4Q Loss, Says Results Missed Expectations
• Negative Sentiment: FY‑2026 EPS guidance (1.85–2.05) came in below Wall Street expectations (consensus ~2.28), largely blamed on manufacturing disruptions from Hurricane Helene — a clear reason for ongoing investor caution. Baxter forecast 2026 profit below estimates The Specter of Hurricane Helene Still Haunts Baxter’s Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts trimmed price targets and some ratings were reduced (Jefferies lowered its PT to $19 and kept a “hold”), signaling lingering analyst concern and pressure on sentiment. Jefferies adjusts Baxter International PT to $19 from $21, maintains hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts and commentators highlight margin compression, higher debt levels and the company’s difficult FY26 outlook — factors that could limit recovery until management proves margin improvement. Baxter International: Debt, Margin Pressure, Dreadful FY26 Guidance (Downgrade)

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.