BAXTER STOCK PLUNGES 10% AS COMPANY PREDICTS ANNUAL PROFITS FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 12 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BAX?
Source: moomoo
- Stock Performance: BAXTER shares have dropped by 10% following recent forecasts.
- Profit Estimates: The company's annual profit is now projected to be below previous estimates.
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Analyst Views on BAX
Wall Street analysts forecast BAX stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 16.660
Low
15.00
Averages
22.13
High
30.00
Current: 16.660
Low
15.00
Averages
22.13
High
30.00
About BAX
Baxter International Inc. is a global medtech company. Its segments include Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, and Pharmaceuticals. The Medical Products and Therapies segment includes sales of its sterile IV solutions, infusion systems, administration sets, parenteral nutrition therapies and surgical hemostat, sealant, and adhesion prevention products. The Healthcare Systems and Technologies segment includes sales of its connected care solutions and collaboration tools, including smart bed systems, patient monitoring systems and diagnostic technologies, respiratory health devices, and advanced equipment for the surgical space, including operating room integration technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories. The Pharmaceuticals segment includes sales of specialty injectable pharmaceuticals, inhaled anesthesia, and drug compounding. It provides a portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Baxter CFO Joel Grade Departs for Family Reasons
- Executive Departure: Baxter International announced the departure of CFO Joel Grade for family reasons, although he will remain in an advisory role until April 30, 2026, which may impact the company's financial decision-making and strategic direction.
- Interim Appointment: Anita Zielinski has been appointed as interim CFO effective immediately; she has been with Baxter since 2025 as senior vice president and chief accounting officer, and her extensive experience in foodservice is expected to help maintain financial stability.
- Financial Outlook Reaffirmed: Baxter reiterated its full-year 2026 financial outlook, demonstrating confidence in future performance during this executive transition, aimed at bolstering investor trust in the company.
- Background and Experience: Zielinski previously served as senior vice president and CFO at Sysco and spent over 20 years at Ernst & Young, providing her with a robust financial management background that will aid the company in maintaining operational efficiency during the transition.
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- Executive Departure: Baxter International announced the departure of CFO Joel Grade, who will remain in an advisory role until April 30, 2026, ensuring financial stability during the transition period.
- Interim CFO Appointment: Anita Zielinski has been appointed as interim CFO effective immediately; she joined Baxter in 2025 as senior vice president, chief accounting officer, and controller, maintaining these responsibilities to ensure continuity in financial management.
- Financial Outlook: Baxter targets an EPS of $1.85 to $2.05 for 2026, despite facing challenges with flat organic sales, indicating ongoing efforts in its business turnaround strategy.
- Market Reaction: Baxter's stock rose 0.76% in pre-market trading to $17.53, reflecting initial positive market sentiment towards the new appointment, although the overall financial outlook remains a point of concern.
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- Executive Departure: Baxter International announced the departure of CFO Joel Grade for family reasons, although he will remain in an advisory role until April 30, 2026, which may impact the company's financial decision-making and strategic direction.
- Interim Appointment: Anita Zielinski has been appointed as interim CFO effective immediately; she has been with Baxter since 2025 as senior vice president and chief accounting officer, and her extensive experience in foodservice is expected to help maintain financial stability.
- Financial Outlook Reaffirmed: Baxter reiterated its full-year 2026 financial outlook, demonstrating confidence in future performance during this executive transition, aimed at bolstering investor trust in the company.
- Background and Experience: Zielinski previously served as senior vice president and CFO at Sysco and spent over 20 years at Ernst & Young, providing her with a robust financial management background that will aid the company in maintaining operational efficiency during the transition.
See More
Baxter International Announces CFO Departure and Interim Appointment
- Executive Departure: Baxter International announced the departure of CFO Joel Grade, who will remain in an advisory role until April 30, 2026, ensuring financial stability during the transition period.
- Interim CFO Appointment: Anita Zielinski has been appointed as interim CFO effective immediately; she joined Baxter in 2025 as senior vice president, chief accounting officer, and controller, maintaining these responsibilities to ensure continuity in financial management.
- Financial Outlook: Baxter targets an EPS of $1.85 to $2.05 for 2026, despite facing challenges with flat organic sales, indicating ongoing efforts in its business turnaround strategy.
- Market Reaction: Baxter's stock rose 0.76% in pre-market trading to $17.53, reflecting initial positive market sentiment towards the new appointment, although the overall financial outlook remains a point of concern.
See More
Johnson Fistel Investigates Executive Liability for Multiple Companies
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Johnson Fistel is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by executives at Avantor, Baxter, Biogen, and CarMax, which may lead shareholders to seek corporate governance reforms and fund recovery.
- Avantor Allegations: A lawsuit against Avantor claims that executives failed to disclose a decline in competitive positioning and negative competitive impacts, leading to shareholder misconceptions about the company's prospects, potentially affecting its stock price.
- Baxter Product Defects: Baxter's Novum LVP product is alleged to have systemic defects that pose serious risks to patients, and the company's inadequate response to these defects may result in significant legal and financial repercussions.
- Biogen Transparency Issues: Biogen is accused of overstating its efforts to enhance transparency and compliance controls, failing to disclose improper conduct in foreign operations, which could lead to regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.
See More
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- Market Conditions: Crude prices are rising while stock prices are falling, creating uncertainty for investors.
- Investment Strategy: Dividend stocks are suggested as a potential safe haven for investors looking to navigate the current market volatility.
See More
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- Crude Prices and Market Impact: Crude prices are rising significantly, leading to a decline in stock values, prompting investors to seek safer investment options.
- Stock Sensitivity to Oil Shocks: Not all stocks react the same way to fluctuations in oil prices, indicating that some may offer more stability during these market changes.
See More
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- Successful Drug Trial: Vertex Pharmaceuticals' experimental drug povetacicept succeeded in a Phase 3 trial for a rare kidney condition, reducing levels of a disease marker by 52%, surpassing analyst expectations and indicating significant potential for expansion into kidney diseases.
- Positive Stock Reaction: Following the trial results, Vertex's shares rose over 9% on Tuesday, reflecting market optimism regarding the prospects of its new drug development, which could provide a new revenue stream for the company.
- Future Revenue Expectations: Analyst Carter Gould from Cantor Fitzgerald predicts that the two drugs Vertex is developing alongside povetacicept could generate over $10 billion in annual revenue, potentially rivaling the company's cystic fibrosis franchise that generated over $11 billion in sales last year.
- FDA Application Plans: Vertex plans to submit its application for povetacicept for IgAN to the U.S. FDA by the end of this month, with approval possible later this year through a priority review voucher, further solidifying the company's strategy in the kidney disease market.
See More
