The Goldman Sachs Group Lowers Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Price Target to $17.00

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $21.00 to $17.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a “neutral” rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price objective would suggest a potential downside of 14.15% from the company’s current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Baxter International from $25.00 to $22.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $15.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Evercore lowered their price target on Baxter International from $24.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $20.10.

Baxter International Price Performance

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

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

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Baxter International during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Baxter International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Baxter International in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its holdings in Baxter International by 169.6% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 984 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 619 shares during the period. 90.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Baxter International News Roundup

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.