Baxter International Inc vs Dow Inc — how do they compare? Baxter International Inc trades at $27.61 (market cap $14.36B), while Dow Inc trades at $31.38 (market cap $22.09B). The key difference: Dow Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Dow Inc pays the higher dividend (4.58%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BAX | DOW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.36B | $22.09B |
Sector | Health | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $28.35 | $41.87 |
52-Week Low | $15.80 | $20.65 |
Enterprise Value | $21.88B | $37.78B |
Dividend Yield | 0.14% | 4.58% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Baxter International (BAX) trades at $27.55, up 2.0% today, showing strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $29.35, with technical indicators signaling bullish momentum. Fundamentally, the company reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.56 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance, though profitability metrics remain negative with a -9.27% net income margin. Recent news highlights operational improvements and strong demand for IV solutions.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic as Baxter demonstrates turnaround progress with raised guidance and earnings beats. Investment opportunity lies in continued operational execution and margin recovery, but risks include persistent negative profitability, high debt levels, and competitive pressures in the medtech space. Wall Street sentiment is mixed with 42% buy ratings but a consensus price target below current levels.
DOW trades at $29.34, down 3.17% today, with technical indicators showing bearish momentum. The company faces fundamental challenges with negative net income margin of -3.13% and declining revenue from $56.9B in 2022 to $40.0B in 2025. Recent earnings beats provide some optimism, but cash flow from operations has weakened significantly from $7.5B in 2022 to $1.0B in 2025. The stock trades near the lower end of analyst price targets with consensus at $35.11.
DOW presents a mixed investment case with valuation metrics showing potential undervaluation (P/S 0.51) offset by profitability concerns. The chemical sector faces cyclical pressures, but recent dividend payments and earnings beats suggest operational resilience. Key risks include continued revenue decline and high debt levels approaching 30% of assets. Analyst sentiment remains cautious with only 33% buy ratings.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Baxter offers a variety of medical instruments and supplies to caregivers. It enhanced its portfolio of hospital-focused offerings by acquiring Hillrom in late 2021. Legacy Baxter offers tools to help patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. It also sells a variety of injectable therapies for use in care settings, such as IV pumps, and administrative sets.
Read more on BAX →Dow Inc is a diversified chemical manufacturing company. It combining science and technology to develop innovative solutions that are essential to human progress. Dow's portfolio is comprised of six global business units, organized into three operating segments: Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings.
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