Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) Stock Rating Upgraded by Argus

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) was upgraded by analysts at Argus from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Baxter International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Baxter International from $46.00 to $38.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Baxter International from $38.00 to $36.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Citigroup cut their price objective on Baxter International from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays began coverage on shares of Baxter International in a research note on Thursday. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $39.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $38.80.

Baxter International Trading Up 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE:BAX traded up $0.80 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $34.62. The company had a trading volume of 866,829 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,799,991. Baxter International has a 12 month low of $28.33 and a 12 month high of $44.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The stock has a market cap of $17.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.04, a PEG ratio of 10.62 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $30.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $34.10.

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

Institutional Trading of Baxter International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Baxter International in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Riverview Trust Co lifted its position in shares of Baxter International by 5,488.2% in the fourth quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 950 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Baxter International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. LRI Investments LLC increased its holdings 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 worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its stake in Baxter International by 247.3% in the 4th quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 2,622 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $76,000 after acquiring an additional 1,867 shares during the period. 90.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Baxter International

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.