Russell Investments Group Ltd. Grows Holdings in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - Free Report) by 40.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,745,709 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 502,370 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.34% of Baxter International worth $50,904,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BAX. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Baxter International by 22.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 15,359,040 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $447,870,000 after acquiring an additional 2,803,920 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Baxter International by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,446,939 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $362,006,000 after purchasing an additional 290,279 shares during the period. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC increased its position in Baxter International by 35.1% during the fourth quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 2,548,215 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $74,306,000 after purchasing an additional 662,042 shares during the last quarter. Sound Shore Management Inc. CT purchased a new position in Baxter International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $72,450,000. Finally, Amundi boosted its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 41.1% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,319,274 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $39,037,000 after purchasing an additional 384,349 shares during the last quarter. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Baxter International Stock Down 0.9 %

Baxter International stock traded down $0.24 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $27.90. 6,638,966 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,499,371. 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 Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $26.25 and a fifty-two week high of $41.90. The company's fifty day moving average price is $32.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.96. The company has a market cap of $14.31 billion, a PE ratio of -21.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.64.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.67 billion. Baxter International had a negative net margin of 5.05% and a positive return on equity of 16.67%. On average, research analysts predict that Baxter International Inc. will post 2.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.44%. Baxter International's dividend payout ratio is presently -53.13%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on BAX shares. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Baxter International in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. They set a "buy" rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Argus upgraded Baxter International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Baxter International from $38.00 to $36.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Barclays increased 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $38.56.

Baxter International 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.