Here's Why You Should Retain Baxter (BAX) Stock For Now
Baxter International Inc. BAX is well poised for growth in the coming quarters, backed by a strong product portfolio. A robust first-quarter 2022 performance, along with positive tidings on the regulatory front, is expected to contribute further. However, generic competition for cyclophosphamide and a sluggish macroeconomic environment are worrying.
Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 10.7% compared with 24.4% fall of the industry and the 3.6% decline of the S&P 500 composite.
The renowned global medical technology company has a market capitalization of $36.53 billion. The company projects 11% growth for the next five years and expects to maintain its strong performance. It has delivered an earnings surprise of 8.5% for the past four quarters, on average.
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Let’s delve deeper.
Regulatory Approvals: We are optimistic about favorable developments on Baxter’s regulatory front. In April, the company received the FDA’s 510(k) clearance for its ST Set used in continuous renal replacement therapy (“CRRT”). The system is expected to offer additional options to provide CRRT to patients in an acute care environment.
In its fourth-quarter 2021 earnings release, the company had announced the FDA approval and commercial launch of premix Norepinephrine Bitartrate in 5% Dextrose Injection (norepinephrine) — a cardiovascular medication indicated to raise blood pressure in adult patients with severe, acute hypotension (low blood pressure).
Strong Product Portfolio: We are upbeat about Baxter’s impressive product portfolio that boasts of improved existing products and new product development. Management has announced plans of introducing new therapies and products that can be expected to further contribute to sales by 2023. Baxter’s product pipeline comprises the addition of generic injectables and the next generation of its premix technology, among other notable mentions.
During the first quarter of 2022, Baxter made an announcement of making initial investments in nine start-ups participating in the mHUB Accelerator — the largest and fastest-growing physical product innovation center in the United States.
Strong Q1 Results: Baxter’s solid first-quarter 2022 results buoy optimism. The company witnessed strong performance across four of its business units. Growth in Americas is encouraging. Expansion in both gross and operating margins fuels further optimism.
Downsides
Sluggish Macroeconomic Environment: Baxter depends on the European Union for about a third of its sales. This is a cause for concern, given the sluggish macroeconomic environment, a glum outlook for hospital spending and tightening of reimbursements. The outlook also remains slightly uneasy in the United States, where demand for many healthcare products is soft, with an expectation of further price cuts on account of healthcare reforms.
Generic Competition for Cyclophosphamide: Cyclophosphamide is a part of Baxter's Hospital Products segment. Baxter’s cyclophosphamide performance has lacked luster for the better part of the last five years. Lower cyclophosphamide sales pose a threat to the Integrated Pharmacy Solutions franchise business. Despite a promising portfolio, the company has failed to grab significant market share and substantially grow its top line, thanks to generic competition.
Estimate Trend
Baxter is witnessing a negative estimate revision trend for 2022. In the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings has moved 3.5% south to $4.16.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter 2022 revenues is pegged at $3.89 billion, suggesting a 25.7% improvement from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. AMN, Patterson Companies, Inc. PDCO and Masimo Corporation MASI.
AMN Healthcare, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 1.1%. AMN’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 15.6%.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
AMN Healthcare has gained 5.1% against the industry’s 64.1% fall in the past year.
Patterson Companies, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 9.9%. PDCO’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in the other, the average beat being 2.7%.
Patterson Companies has lost 7.5% compared with the industry’s 5.5% fall over the past year.
Masimo, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an earnings yield of 3.3% against the industry’s negative yield. MASI’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 4.4%.
Masimo has lost 33.1% compared with the industry’s 16.4% fall over the past year.
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