Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Price Target Lowered to $19.00 at Jefferies Financial Group

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its price objective trimmed by Jefferies Financial Group from $21.00 to $19.00 in a research note released on Friday morning,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

Several other brokerages have also commented on BAX. Argus lowered shares of Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Baxter International from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $20.70.

Baxter International Stock Up 5.8%

Baxter International stock opened at $19.80 on Friday. Baxter International has a 1-year low of $17.40 and a 1-year high of $37.74. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $19.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.70, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.59.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.09). The business 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 16.31%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.58 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Baxter International will post 2.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -2.16%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BAX. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its position in Baxter International by 169.6% during 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 during the period. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the third quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

More 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.