Jefferies Financial Group Has Lowered Expectations for Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Stock Price

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its target price reduced by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $21.00 to $19.00 in a report issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a “hold” rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price points to a potential downside of 4.05% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on BAX. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Baxter International from $19.00 to $15.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays dropped their target price on Baxter International from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of 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. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Baxter International in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $20.10.

Baxter International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAX opened at $19.80 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $19.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.18 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.59. Baxter International has a 1-year low of $17.40 and a 1-year high of $37.74.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.09). Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.31% and a negative net margin of 8.51%.The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.58 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Baxter International will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BAX. Gendell Jeffrey L bought a new stake in Baxter International in the 4th quarter worth about $8,525,000. McMillan Office Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth about $54,000. Vestor Capital LLC raised its holdings in Baxter International by 1,340.3% during the 4th quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 40,645 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $777,000 after acquiring an additional 37,823 shares during the period. Alteri Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Baxter International by 12.4% during the 4th quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC now owns 10,487 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 1,158 shares during the period. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the fourth quarter valued at about $46,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key 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.