Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Baxter International (BAX) Q4 Earnings Beat, Revenues Lag

Read MoreHide Full Article

Baxter International Inc.(BAX - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of 57 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5 cents and were well above the year-ago figure of 43 cents.

Over the last four trailing quarters, the company posted positive earnings surprises, the average being 27.02%. Currently, Baxter has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The company posted sales of $2.64 billion, marginally missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.65 billion. At constant currency (cc), revenues increased 2% on a year-over-year basis.

For the full year, Baxter reported adjusted earnings of $1.96 per share, an increase of 42% on a year-over-year basis. The company posted full-year revenues of $10.2 billion, up 4% on year-over-year basis at cc.

Stock Performance

Over the last three months, the stock added 2.5%, higher than the Zacks classified Medical Products sub-industry’s gain of almost 1%. However, the current level compares unfavorably with the S&P 500’s return of 8.4% over the same time frame.

Meanwhile, a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 11.36% instills confidence in investors.

Segment Details

U.S.sales were up 5% on a year-over-year basis to $1.1 billion. International sales increased 1% at cc to $1.5 billion.

Adjusting for the impact of foreign exchange and increased competition for the company’s cyclophosphamide, Baxter’s sales were up 7% in the domestic market. Internationally, sales increased 3% in the reported quarter.

Hospital products sales inched up 1% at cc on a year-over-year basis to $1.6 billion. Sales in this segment were driven by solid demand for IV solutions, nutritional therapies and IV access administration sets.

Renal products sales increased 5% to $1 billion. Renal products sales were driven by peritoneal dialysis products as well as increased global demand for continuous renal replacement therapies.

Guidance

For full-year 2017, the company projects earnings from continuing operations, before special items, in the band of $2.10 to $2.18 per share.

For the first quarter of 2017, Baxter expects sales growth in the range of 3% to 4% at cc. Adjusted earnings are forecast in the range of 50 cents to 52 cents per share.

Stocks to Consider

Better-ranked stocks in the broader medical sector include Addus Glaukos Corporation (GKOS - Free Report) , Avinger, Inc. (AVGR - Free Report) and Inogen, Inc (INGN - Free Report) . All the three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Glaukos Corporation has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of approximately 25%. Notably, the stock represents an impressive one-year return of 144.6%.

Avinger projects sales growth of 2.3% for the current year. Additionally, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 27% in the last quarter.

Inogen has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of approximately 17.5%. Notably, the stock represents an impressive one-year return of 96%.

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>>

Published in