Q3 EPS Estimate for Baxter International Lifted by Analyst

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for Baxter International in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, September 7th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings of $0.53 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.50. Zacks Research currently 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 FY2026 earnings at $2.06 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.45 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.50 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.59 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.07 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.43 EPS and Q2 2028 earnings at $0.52 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Baxter International from $19.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Baxter International from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Baxter International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $17.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Baxter International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $22.45.

Baxter International Price Performance

NYSE BAX opened at $24.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.01, a PEG ratio of 3.91 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.32. Baxter International has a 1-year low of $15.73 and a 1-year high of $30.00. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $24.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.78.

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

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be given a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 28th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1.93%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,744,874,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Baxter International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,392,098,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Baxter International by 7.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,510,205 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $257,174,000 after purchasing an additional 972,891 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in Baxter International by 2,009.1% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 12,720,343 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $271,198,000 after purchasing an additional 12,117,222 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position 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 worth $231,304,000 after purchasing an additional 97,687 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.19% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Baxter International

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised multiple EPS forecasts. Zacks Research increased its Q3 2026 estimate to $0.53 from $0.50, FY2026 to $2.06 from $2.02, and FY2027 to $2.07 from $2.00. Estimates were also lifted for Q1 and Q2 2027 and Q4 2027, suggesting modestly improved confidence in Baxter’s earnings trajectory.
• Positive Sentiment: Improved company outlook supports the stock. Baxter raised its 2026 sales and earnings guidance after strong second-quarter growth. The company’s latest quarterly results also exceeded analyst expectations, with revenue growth helping offset some profitability pressure. BAX Raises 2026 Outlook as Strong Q2 Growth Offsets Margin Pressure
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks maintained a “Hold” rating. While the estimate revisions are favorable, the rating indicates analysts see limited near-term upside or balanced risk. The current consensus forecast is approximately $2.04 in full-year EPS.
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term technical and relative-performance signals remain weak. Reports described BAX as trading sideways with limited technical upside, while the shares underperformed competitors in the latest session. Investors also remain focused on manufacturing costs, tariffs, pricing pressure and their effect on margins. Baxter International Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

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.