Morgan Stanley has recently reduced Baxter International Inc (BAX) stock rating, as announced on July 15, 2024, according to Finviz. Earlier, on May 30, 2024, Goldman had initiated the stock to Neutral, setting a price target of $36. TD Cowen also reduced Hold rating with a price target of $40. Additionally, Morgan Stanley resumed their rating on May 30, 2023, with a target price of $45. UBS analysts, in their report published on March 29, 2023, also initiated Neutral rating and set a price target of $43 for Baxter International Inc’s stock. Analyst ratings are significant because they provide insights into stock performance expectations, influencing investor decisions and market sentiment.
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Baxter International Inc (BAX) Stock Trading Recap
On Monday, Baxter International Inc (BAX) stock saw a decline, ending the day at $37.97 which represents a decrease of $-0.94 or -2.42% from the prior close of $38.91. The stock opened at $37.75 and touched a low of $37.32 during the day, reaching a high of $38.13. The volume of shares traded was 4.87 million exceeding the average volume of 4.40 million.
BAX Stock Performance and Moving Averages
In recent trading, Baxter International Inc (BAX) stock price has shown some volatility, fluctuating -2.64% over the last five trades and -0.50% over the past 30 trades. This represents a notable shift from earlier in the year. Over the last six months, the stock has risen by -12.81%, and it has gained 14.85% in the previous three months. Currently, BAX is trading at -2.46%, 1.75%, and -0.28% relative to its 20-Day, 50-Day, and 200-Day Simple Moving Averages, respectively.
As of the latest trading close, BAX, a Healthcare sector stock, is trading -13.71% below its 52-week high but remains 22.44% above its 52-week low. The Average True Range (ATR) (14 days) of 0.9 highlights the stock’s average volatility, providing insight into how much the price typically fluctuates. This measure is crucial for understanding potential price swings and assessing overall market risk.
Baxter International Inc’s Profitability and Valuation Ratios
Baxter International Inc’s profitability metrics reveal strong financial health. The company currently boasts an operating margin of 10.10% and a profit margin of -2.71%, with a gross margin of -12.81%. The profit margin, also known as the revenue ratio or gross profit ratio, measures how efficiently a company converts sales into net income; higher margins indicate greater profitability.
In terms of valuation, Baxter International Inc’s market capitalization stands at $19.37 billion. Market cap represents the total value of all outstanding shares and is a key indicator of a company’s market value. The forward P/E ratio, which uses projected earnings for the next financial year, is 12.05. Additionally, the Price-to-Sales Ratio is 1.29, reflecting the market’s valuation of the company’s sales, while the Price-to-Book Ratio is 2.53, comparing the market value to the company’s book value.
Understanding Insider Trading
Investors often prefer to invest in shares held by company insiders, as management is typically more aligned with the company’s success and shareholder interests. Currently, insiders own just 0.76% of Baxter International Inc (BAX)’s shares, while financial institutions hold 91.24%.
Notable insider trades include Mason Jeanne K, EVP, Chief HR Officer at Baxter International Inc (BAX), who sold 64488 shares on Mar 01 ’24, at $40.61 each, totaling $2.62 million.
