Baxter International Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:BAX)

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) saw some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Investors purchased 17,209 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 303% compared to the typical daily volume of 4,265 put options.

Baxter International Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Baxter International stock opened at $36.89 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.71. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $31.01 and a 52-week high of $50.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.73 billion, a PE ratio of 7.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.64.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.04. Baxter International had a net margin of 17.77% and a return on equity of 19.49%. The company had revenue of $3.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.55 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.59 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 2.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Baxter International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.14%. Baxter International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.22%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on BAX shares. StockNews.com upgraded Baxter International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 19th. Bank of America upped their price target on Baxter International from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Baxter International from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Baxter International from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Baxter International from $40.00 to $36.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $46.30.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Baxter International by 33.8% in the third quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,063 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $267,000 after acquiring an additional 1,785 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Baxter International by 69.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,491,343 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $244,983,000 after purchasing an additional 2,650,959 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in Baxter International by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 4,214 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $159,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. Graypoint LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Baxter International by 154.7% during the 3rd quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 13,573 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 8,245 shares during the period. Finally, TIAA Trust National Association purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 3rd quarter worth $614,000. 90.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Baxter International Company Profile

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.