BAX vs. GSK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BAX and GSK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
BAX is a standard domestic listing, while GSK trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Baxter International Inc. | GSK plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 12.38 billion USD | 78.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 27, 1981 | March 28, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BAX and GSK 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 | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.42% | 2.29% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -24.37% | 3.42% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -21.75% | -5.07% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -34.71% | -12.08% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.80% | -0.95% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -17.32% | 4.31% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 14.95M | 5.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.66M | 7.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 53.59% | 24.97% |
| Beta | 0.58 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BAX
-2.12%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
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.
GSK
24.18%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, GSK’s Return on Equity of 24.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BAX
-1.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
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.
GSK
10.82%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
GSK’s Net Profit Margin of 10.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BAX
-0.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
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.
GSK
16.22%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
GSK’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.22% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.12% | 24.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.65% | 5.77% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.42% | 10.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.28% | 16.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.01% | 71.77% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
2.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- 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.
GSK
0.87
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
GSK’s Current Ratio of 0.87 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
1.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- 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.
GSK
1.17
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.17. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BAX
0.20
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
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.
GSK
2.37
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, GSK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.37 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.30 | 0.87 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.20 | 2.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BAX
3.79%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.79%, 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.
GSK
4.40%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.40%, GSK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BAX
90.20%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- 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.
GSK
54.01%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
GSK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 54.01% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.79% | 4.40% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 90.20% | 54.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BAX
--
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
P/E Ratio data for BAX is currently unavailable.
GSK
16.54
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s P/E Ratio of 16.54 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BAX
1.14
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, BAX’s P/S Ratio of 1.14 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.
GSK
1.79
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s P/S Ratio of 1.79 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
2.12
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
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.
GSK
3.84
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
GSK’s P/B Ratio of 3.84 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals 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 | BAX | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 16.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.14 | 1.79 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.12 | 3.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.65 | 12.14 |