Baxter price target lowered to $22 from $25 at Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs analyst David Roman lowered the firm’s price target on Baxter (BAX) to $22 from $25 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. Total sales of $2.84B came in slightly below guidance and consensus, with shortfalls across all segments, most notably in MPT and Pharma, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Gross margins declined sharply to 39.4%, pressured by manufacturing variances expected to persist into 4Q25 and early 2026, though lower R&D and SG&A spending partially offset the impact. Management reduced FY25 organic growth and EPS guidance to 1%-2% and $2.35-$2.40, respectively, implying near-term softness and limited visibility into 2026, where earnings headwinds are expected to outweigh tailwinds, the firm says.