Feb. 12 at 8:50 PM
Baxter International shares sank about 16% Thursday after the medical device maker reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and issued disappointing 2026 guidance, ranking among the S&P 500’s worst performers of the session.
Adjusted Q4 earnings were 44 cents per share, missing consensus estimates of 52 cents, while revenue rose to
$2.97 billion from
$2.75 billion a year earlier and topped forecasts. Despite sales growth across segments, CEO Andrew Hider acknowledged results fell short of internal expectations, pointing to a new operating model aimed at streamlining operations and improving performance.
Looking ahead, Baxter projected 2026 adjusted EPS of
$1.85 to
$2.05, well below analysts’ expectations of
$2.24, with sales from continuing operations expected to be flat to up 1%, also trailing forecasts. The sharp decline wiped out the stock’s gains for the year.
$BAX