A vs. BAX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and BAX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
A’s market capitalization of 34.48 billion USD is substantially larger than BAX’s 15.91 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
A’s beta of 1.23 points to significantly higher volatility compared to BAX (beta: 0.61), suggesting A has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | A | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Baxter International Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Medical - Instruments & Supplies |
| CEO | Padraig McDonnell | David Brent Shafer |
| Price | 121.38 USD | 31.01 USD |
| Market Cap | 34.48 billion USD | 15.91 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.61 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 18, 1999 | October 27, 1981 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and BAX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
A
19.46%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 57.35%
- Q3
- 18.17%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- -16.72%
- Min
- -48.78%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Equity of 19.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BAX
-7.58%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 26.65%
- Q3
- 13.00%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- -8.11%
- Min
- -38.20%
BAX has a negative Return on Equity of -7.58%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
A
11.71%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 42.99%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 3.02%
- Q1
- -11.49%
- Min
- -40.79%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.71% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
BAX
-0.18%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 20.14%
- Q3
- 7.36%
- Median
- 1.97%
- Q1
- -6.22%
- Min
- -20.00%
BAX has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -0.18%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
A
17.59%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 22.76%
- Q3
- 15.19%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- -22.25%
- Min
- -78.24%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.59% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BAX
-5.20%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 28.95%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- -2.83%
- Q1
- -12.85%
- Min
- -26.41%
BAX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -5.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
A
21.38%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 36.06%
- Q3
- 20.26%
- Median
- 6.15%
- Q1
- -21.89%
- Min
- -82.21%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
BAX
-0.40%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 32.10%
- Q3
- 16.03%
- Median
- 2.28%
- Q1
- -7.96%
- Min
- -26.84%
BAX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.40%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.46% | -7.58% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.59% | -2.63% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.71% | -0.18% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | -5.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.38% | -0.40% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.79% | 36.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
A
2.09
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 6.91
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.73
A’s Current Ratio of 2.09 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BAX
2.02
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.64
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- 1.10
BAX’s Current Ratio of 2.02 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
A
0.57
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.39
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.01
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 is typical for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BAX
1.46
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.03
BAX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.46. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
A
-472.33
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.07
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- -38.78
- Min
- -57.46
A has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -472.33. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
BAX
-0.11
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.04
- Q3
- 8.80
- Median
- 3.66
- Q1
- -3.85
- Min
- -11.93
BAX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.11. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.09 | 2.02 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.60 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.57 | 1.46 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.48 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.43 | 7.85 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -472.33 | -0.11 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for A and BAX. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
A
0.81%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 2.76%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.81%, A offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
BAX
2.58%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.02%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.58%, BAX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
A
23.76%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.76% is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
BAX
-94.64%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 76.77%
- Q3
- 11.37%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAX has a negative Dividend Payout Ratio of -94.64%. This typically means the company paid a dividend despite reporting a net loss, a situation that may signal financial instability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.81% | 2.58% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | -94.64% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
A
29.67
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 48.28
- Q3
- 44.64
- Median
- 29.13
- Q1
- 22.34
- Min
- 15.59
A’s P/E Ratio of 29.67 is within the middle range for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
BAX
-28.35
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 45.65
- Q3
- 44.10
- Median
- 35.47
- Q1
- 29.60
- Min
- 21.65
BAX has a negative P/E Ratio of -28.35. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
A
3.80
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 4.18
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.40
- Q1
- 0.57
- Min
- 0.04
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.80 places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
BAX
-2.68
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.68
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 0.22
BAX has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -2.68. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
A
5.20
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 12.53
- Q3
- 6.19
- Median
- 3.58
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.58
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
BAX
1.48
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 12.87
- Q3
- 6.95
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- 0.71
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, BAX’s P/S Ratio of 1.48 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio
A
5.64
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 10.67
- Q3
- 5.74
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.39
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry.
BAX
2.24
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.60
- Q3
- 5.48
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.65
BAX’s P/B Ratio of 2.24 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.67 | -28.35 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.80 | -2.68 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.20 | 1.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 5.64 | 2.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 24.63 | 83.32 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 25.95 | 23.44 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.51 | 2.22 |