Compare Baxter International Inc (BAX) vs HCA Health Inc (HCA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Baxter International Inc vs HCA Health Inc — how do they compare? Baxter International Inc trades at $21.78 (market cap $11.26B), while HCA Health Inc trades at $365.03 (market cap $80.66B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc is far larger — about 7.2× Baxter International Inc's market cap, and Baxter International Inc pays the higher dividend (0.92%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BAX | HCA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.26B | $80.66B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $29.22 | $545.13 |
52-Week Low | $15.80 | $334.32 |
Enterprise Value | $18.93B | $129.57B |
Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 0.86% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Baxter International (BAX) trades at $22.57, down 0.22% on the day, with mixed technical signals showing a bullish moving average trend but neutral oscillators. The company reported Q1 2026 earnings beat with $0.36 EPS versus $0.31 expected, though net income margin remains negative at -9.7%. Recent news highlights upcoming Q2 earnings call and sustainability initiatives, while analyst consensus sits at $22.67 price target with 42% buy ratings.
BAX faces fundamental challenges with negative profitability metrics and volatile cash flow, but valuation appears reasonable with P/S of 1.02. The stock offers potential upside to analyst targets if operational improvements materialize, though investors must weigh high debt levels and inconsistent earnings performance against turnaround prospects in the medical technology sector.
HCA Healthcare stock trades at $390.74, down 3.9% following a lowered 2026 profit outlook. The company maintains strong fundamentals with revenue growth to $75.6B in 2025 and consistent earnings beats, though technical indicators show bearish momentum. Recent news highlights challenges from payer mix shifts and rising uninsured patients, creating near-term headwinds despite long-term capacity expansion initiatives.
The stock presents a valuation opportunity with a P/E of 13.5x below industry averages, supported by analyst consensus target of $481.80. Key risks include execution on guidance and healthcare reimbursement pressures, but institutional sentiment remains positive with 63% buy ratings, suggesting potential recovery once near-term uncertainties resolve.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Baxter International Inc
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 →About HCA Health Inc
HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →
