Key acquisition to spur post-pandemic gains

Article Excerpt

Baxter’s shares are down about 15% since hitting $92 in April 2020. That’s largely because hospitals postponed elective surgical procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the pandemic is easing, demand for its products is rebounding. The company’s upcoming purchase of hospital equipment maker Hill-Rom should also set it up for more growth. BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. $78 is a buy. The company (New York symbol BAX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 500.7 million; Market cap: $39.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2; Dividend yield: 1.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.baxter.com) makes a variety of medical devices, including intravenous pumps and kidney-dialysis equipment. The U.S. accounts for about 40% of its revenue. Despite the COVID-19 disruptions, Baxter’s revenue gained 10.5%, from $10.56 billion in 2016 to $11.67 billion in 2020. Starting in 2015, Baxter began a multi-year restructuring plan, which included consolidating facilities and focusing on high-margin products. The company expects the plan will cut $1.2 billion from its annual costs by the end of…