Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.950-2.150 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.920. The company issued revenue guidance of $11.6 billion-$11.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $11.4 billion.

Baxter International Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of Baxter International stock opened at $24.71 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $21.05 and its 200 day moving average is $19.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.76 billion, a PE ratio of -11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.93 and a beta of 0.62. Baxter International has a 1 year low of $15.73 and a 1 year high of $28.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.19. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 9.70% and a positive return on equity of 16.15%. The business had revenue of $2.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.150 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Baxter International will post 1.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Baxter International from $19.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. TD Cowen upped their target price on Baxter International from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. Evercore dropped their target price on Baxter International from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Baxter International from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Baxter International from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Baxter International has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $21.09.

Key Stories Impacting Baxter International

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

• Positive Sentiment: Baxter reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.56 per share, well above the $0.37 analyst consensus, while revenue of $2.96 billion topped expectations of $2.80 billion. Management cited solid operating performance and an additional tariff refund as contributors to the upside. Baxter Reports Second-Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised or reaffirmed a stronger 2026 outlook, calling for earnings of $1.95 to $2.15 per share and revenue of $11.6 billion to $11.7 billion. Both ranges are above current analyst expectations of approximately $1.92 EPS and $11.4 billion in revenue, supporting the positive market reaction. Baxter International Raises Outlook After Strong Second Quarter
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts have recently lifted their price targets, including UBS to $25 from $19 and Stifel to $24 from $19, reflecting improved expectations following Baxter’s operating performance. UBS Raises Baxter Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Despite higher targets, UBS, Stifel and TD Cowen maintain neutral or hold ratings, indicating that much of the improved outlook may already be reflected in BAX’s valuation. TD Cowen Adjusts Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Baxter recalled certain antibiotic intravenous bags after cardboard particles were found in the solution. The recall creates potential reputational, regulatory and financial risks, although the strong earnings report appears to be the more immediate stock catalyst. Baxter Antibiotic IV Bag Recall

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Baxter International by 1.3% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 7,638,629 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $231,304,000 after buying an additional 97,687 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 35.6% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,410,689 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $65,216,000 after acquiring an additional 894,761 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in Baxter International by 2.9% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 649,463 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $19,666,000 after acquiring an additional 18,439 shares during the last quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L acquired a new stake in Baxter International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $8,525,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Baxter International during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $5,862,000. 90.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.