BAX vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BAX and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BAX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Baxter International Inc. | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 12.25 billion USD | 19.60 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 27, 1981 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BAX and WST 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 | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.61% | 4.70% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -23.06% | 22.63% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -30.30% | 21.74% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -33.67% | -9.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.79% | 3.90% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -18.18% | -16.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.39M | 0.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.38M | 0.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 54.45% | 54.14% |
| Beta | 0.62 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WST
17.66%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% 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
- 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.
WST
16.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
WST’s Net Profit Margin of 16.48% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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
- 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.
WST
19.65%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
WST’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.12% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.65% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.42% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.28% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.01% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
2.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
WST
130.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 130.12, WST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.30 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.20 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WST
0.30%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.30% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
WST
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.80% | 0.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 90.20% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
WST
40.47
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
WST’s P/E Ratio of 40.47 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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
1.13
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.
WST
6.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
WST’s P/S Ratio of 6.67 is in the upper echelon for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 40.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.13 | 6.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.12 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.57 | 57.38 |