Compare Baxter International Inc (BAX) vs Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Baxter International Inc vs Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? Baxter International Inc trades at $26.94 (market cap $14.27B), while Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $85.13. The key difference: Baxter International Inc pays a 0.14% dividend while Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Baxter International Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BAX | XLP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.27B | — |
Sector | Health | — |
52-Week High | $28.35 | $90.00 |
52-Week Low | $15.80 | $75.61 |
Enterprise Value | $21.79B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.14% | — |
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 $27.22, down 2.02% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong recent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.56, beating expectations of $0.3665, and raised full-year guidance. Despite negative net income margins and high P/E of 87.85, cash flow trends improved with 2026 net cash flow projected at $468 million. Recent news highlights a 7.4% surge on August 3, 2026, following positive quarterly results and a cash tender offer announcement.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic due to earnings momentum and raised guidance, but high valuation and persistent negative profitability pose risks. Analyst consensus is mixed with 41.67% buy ratings, a $25.43 price target, and institutional activity showing volatility. Key risks include margin pressures and debt levels, though operational improvements may support recovery.
XLP trades at $85.08 with minimal daily movement (+0.15%), reflecting stable defensive positioning. Technical indicators show mixed signals with a neutral overall rating, while analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with 100% buy ratings. The consumer staples ETF benefits from recent positive sector momentum and defensive characteristics during market uncertainty.
The outlook remains positive given the defensive nature of consumer staples amid economic uncertainty, with potential for steady dividend income. Key risks include sector rotation away from defensive plays and valuation concerns if growth expectations moderate. The 2.6% dividend yield provides income support while awaiting capital appreciation.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes companies that have been identified as Consumer Staples companies by the GICS®. It is non-diversified.
Read more on XLP →
