ABT vs. BAX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ABT and BAX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Abbott Laboratories | Baxter International Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 234.25 billion USD | 12.25 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | October 27, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ABT 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.11% | 6.61% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.11% | -23.06% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.46% | -30.30% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 18.44% | -33.67% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.49% | 4.79% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.99% | -18.18% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.68M | 6.39M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.17M | 6.38M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.21% | 54.45% |
| Beta | 0.73 | 0.62 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ABT
29.93%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.93%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -12.52%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s Return on Equity of 29.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BAX
-2.12%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.93%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -12.52%
BAX has a negative Return on Equity of -2.12%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ABT
32.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.41%
- Q3
- 13.71%
- Median
- 10.08%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -5.58%
ABT’s Net Profit Margin of 32.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
BAX
-1.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.41%
- Q3
- 13.71%
- Median
- 10.08%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -5.58%
BAX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -1.42%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ABT
17.34%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 18.11%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- -0.28%
ABT’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.34% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BAX
-0.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 18.11%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- -0.28%
BAX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.28%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.93% | -2.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 17.41% | -0.65% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.43% | -1.42% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.34% | -0.28% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 56.20% | 36.01% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ABT
1.82
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.86
ABT’s Current Ratio of 1.82 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BAX
2.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.86
BAX’s Current Ratio of 2.30 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ABT
0.27
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.61
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
ABT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 is typical for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BAX
1.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.61
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
BAX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.30. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ABT
38.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.60
- Q1
- 3.78
- Min
- -26.49
ABT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.30 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
BAX
0.20
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.60
- Q1
- 3.78
- Min
- -26.49
BAX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.20 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 2.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 1.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.27 | 1.30 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 38.30 | 0.20 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ABT
1.70%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.15%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABT’s Dividend Yield of 1.70% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
BAX
3.80%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.15%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.80%, BAX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ABT
28.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 66.60%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BAX
90.20%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 66.60%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 90.20% is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.70% | 3.80% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.42% | 90.20% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ABT
16.75
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.29
- Q3
- 47.01
- Median
- 30.94
- Q1
- 23.91
- Min
- 10.79
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s P/E Ratio of 16.75 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
BAX
--
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.29
- Q3
- 47.01
- Median
- 30.94
- Q1
- 23.91
- Min
- 10.79
P/E Ratio data for BAX is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ABT
5.43
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 0.74
ABT’s P/S Ratio of 5.43 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
BAX
1.13
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 0.74
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, BAX’s P/S Ratio of 1.13 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 (MRQ)
ABT
4.68
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 6.56
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 2.36
- Min
- 0.71
ABT’s P/B Ratio of 4.68 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & 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.
BAX
2.12
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 6.56
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 2.36
- Min
- 0.71
BAX’s P/B Ratio of 2.12 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.75 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.43 | 1.13 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.68 | 2.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 34.56 | 18.57 |