Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Brokerages

Shares of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Hold" by the ten research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $38.56.

BAX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Baxter International from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Baxter International in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Baxter International from $38.00 to $36.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 24th.

Baxter International Stock Down 1.0 %

Baxter International stock traded down $0.33 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $33.69. The stock had a trading volume of 2,491,487 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,376,468. The company has a market cap of $17.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -26.32, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.60. The business's 50 day moving average price is $33.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.54. Baxter International has a 52 week low of $28.34 and a 52 week high of $43.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.09.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 5.05% and a positive return on equity of 16.67%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 2.48 EPS for the current year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.02%. Baxter International's payout ratio is -53.13%.

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Baxter International during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Riverview Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 5,488.2% during the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 950 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Baxter International by 60.8% during the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 1,560 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 590 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in Baxter International by 48.1% in the first quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,021 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its position in Baxter International by 247.3% in the fourth quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 2,622 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 1,867 shares during the period. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International Company Profile

Baxter International Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, and Kidney Care. The company offers sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; surgical hemostat and sealant products, advanced surgical equipment; smart bed systems; patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies; and respiratory health devices, as well as advanced equipment for the surgical space, including surgical video technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories.