Q1 EPS Forecast for Baxter International Lowered by Analyst

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Baxter International in a research note issued on Thursday, March 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the medical instruments supplier will earn $0.35 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.47. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Baxter International’s current full-year earnings is $2.48 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Baxter International’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.44 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.56 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.59 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.93 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.38 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.48 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.57 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.12 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Baxter International from $19.00 to $15.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays reduced their price objective on Baxter International from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Evercore dropped their target price on Baxter International from $24.00 to $23.00 in a report on Monday, January 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Baxter International from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Baxter International in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $20.10.

Baxter International Price Performance

Shares of BAX opened at $17.67 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $9.09 billion, a PE ratio of -9.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.31. Baxter International has a fifty-two week low of $17.40 and a fifty-two week high of $37.74. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $20.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.87.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.82 billion. Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.95% and a negative net margin of 8.51%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.58 earnings per share. Baxter International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.050 EPS.

Baxter International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Baxter International’s payout ratio is presently -2.16%.

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Baxter International in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Baxter International in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in Baxter International during the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently 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: Baxter joined the National Infusion Collaborative to advance infusion safety and best practices — a strategic, credibility-enhancing partnership that supports product adoption and customer relationships in Baxter’s infusion business. Baxter Joins the National Infusion Collaborative
• Neutral Sentiment: The Seeking Alpha piece “Sticking With Baxter At The Lows” lays out deep investor skepticism driven by disappointing guidance and management’s decision to delay Investor Day; it also describes recent leadership changes and a flattened organization as part of a bumpy turnaround — but argues valuation leaves upside if the turnaround succeeds. Sticking With Baxter At The Lows
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research issued multiple downward revisions across 2026–2027 quarterly and FY estimates (FY2026 cut to $1.93 from $2.17; several quarterly EPS cuts), maintained a “Hold” rating, and projects lower near-term earnings — a clear negative for sentiment and a likely contributor to today’s weakness. (Source: MarketBeat/BAX summary) Zacks Research estimates and report summary

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.