greeksoup/ stock research

Baxter International Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported sales up 3%, organic down 1%: Continuing-operations sales were about $2.7 billion, up 3% on a reported basis and down 1% on an organic basis, with the company citing the quarter overall as in line with expectations. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell 35% to $0.36: Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.36, down 35%; the prior-year quarter benefited from a timing shift in expense recognition tied to a reclassification from SG&A to cost of sales. Source
  • Medical Products & Therapies sales rose 2%: Medical Products & Therapies sales were about $1.3 billion, up 2% reported and down 2% organic, with the Infusion Therapies & Technologies division pulling the segment down. Source
  • Infusion Therapies sales declined: Infusion Therapies & Technologies sales were $981 million, down 1% reported and 5% organic; the prior-year comparison included a one-time distributor build after Hurricane Helene. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin fell to 36.8%: Adjusted gross margin was 36.8% of net sales, against 41.8% a year earlier; adjusted SG&A was 22.7% and adjusted R&D was 4.6% of net sales. Source
  • Free cash flow was $76 million: Free cash flow from continuing operations was $76 million, against negative $221 million a year earlier, after $137 million of capital expenditures. Source

“Financial results for the quarter overall were in line with our expectations, and we are making progress to stabilize the business, embed a culture of continuous improvement, and strengthen execution”

Andrew Hider, president and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported sales growth from continuing operations Sourcefull year 2026flat to 1%Kept
Organic sales growth from continuing operations Sourcefull year 2026approximately flatKept
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations Sourcefull year 2026$1.85 to $2.05Kept
Reported-to-organic sales bridge Sourcefull year 2026Kidney Care MSA ~30 bps; foreign exchange (~100 bps)Kept

Results and growth drivers

  • Reported sales up 3%, organic down 1%: Continuing-operations sales were about $2.7 billion, up 3% on a reported basis and down 1% on an organic basis, with the company citing the quarter overall as in line with expectations. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell 35% to $0.36: Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.36, down 35%; the prior-year quarter benefited from a timing shift in expense recognition tied to a reclassification from SG&A to cost of sales. Source
  • GAAP loss from continuing operations: On a U.S. GAAP basis, continuing operations reported a loss of $17 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, against net income of $64 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Medical Products & Therapies sales rose 2%: Medical Products & Therapies sales were about $1.3 billion, up 2% reported and down 2% organic, with the Infusion Therapies & Technologies division pulling the segment down. Source
  • Infusion Therapies sales declined: Infusion Therapies & Technologies sales were $981 million, down 1% reported and 5% organic; the prior-year comparison included a one-time distributor build after Hurricane Helene. Source
  • Healthcare Systems flat; Front Line Care lower: Healthcare Systems & Technologies sales were about $705 million, flat reported and down 2% organic, with Front Line Care lower on order timing and planned global portfolio exits. Source
  • Pharmaceuticals rose 7% reported: Pharmaceuticals sales were about $621 million, up 7% reported and 1% organic, as Drug Compounding strength was partly offset by lower Injectables & Anesthesia sales. Source
  • U.S. down 4%, international up 12%: U.S. sales were about $1.44 billion, down 4% on both reported and organic bases; international sales were about $1.27 billion, up 12% reported and 3% organic. Source

“Although more work remains to achieve our full potential, Baxter continues to take the decisive steps necessary to fulfill our commitment to delivering better and more consistent results for our shareholders.”

Andrew Hider, president and CEO

Products, launches and strategy

  • IV line labeling system introduced: The company introduced an automated line labeling system offered as a standardized alternative to handwritten labels, intended to support safer medication administration. Source
  • Surgical table and stretcher showcased: The AAT XR spine surgical table and the Dynamo Series smart stretcher were showcased at the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo. Source
  • More than 230 GPS initiatives launched: Baxter Growth and Performance System is now the enterprise operating system, with more than 230 initiatives launched in the first quarter and more efforts planned through 2026. Source
  • Pet therapy partnership announced: The Baxter Foundation and Pet Partners announced a partnership to expand access to therapy animal programs in U.S. healthcare settings. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Adjusted gross margin fell to 36.8%: Adjusted gross margin was 36.8% of net sales, against 41.8% a year earlier; adjusted SG&A was 22.7% and adjusted R&D was 4.6% of net sales. Source
  • Segment margins fell year on year: Medical Products & Therapies operating margin was 14.5% against 19.3%, and Healthcare Systems & Technologies was 9.4% against 13.2%. Source
  • Income tax expense of $11 million: Income tax expense was $11 million against a $67 million benefit a year earlier; the company cited higher interest on uncertain tax positions and a forecasted effective tax rate. Source
  • Pump warranty estimate revision added benefit: A revised warranty and remediation estimate for infusion pumps added a $12 million benefit to 2026 U.S. GAAP results, which the company excluded from adjusted results. Source

Demand and order patterns

  • Advanced Surgery sales rose 13%: Advanced Surgery sales were $304 million, up 13% reported and 10% organic, with management citing continued global demand for these products. Source
  • Drug compounding grew 30% reported: Drug Compounding sales were $320 million, up 30% reported and 20% organic. Source
  • Injectables & Anesthesia declined 10%: Injectables & Anesthesia sales were $301 million, down 10% reported and 13% organic. Source

Cash flow and capital

  • Free cash flow was $76 million: Free cash flow from continuing operations was $76 million, against negative $221 million a year earlier, after $137 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • Operating cash flow was $213 million: Cash from continuing operations was $213 million, against a $99 million use a year earlier; investing activities used $133 million. Source
  • Financing cash use was $11 million: Cash used in financing activities was $11 million, against $3,226 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Patients relying on Baxter annually Sourcemore than 350 million

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: The previously disclosed shipment and installation hold on the Novum IQ LVP lowered infusion pump sales in the quarter. Source
  • External: Higher tariff costs and higher manufacturing costs, including lower absorption, were cited as affecting results in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The CEO referred to the company's commitment to delivering better and more consistent results; the release does not state progress against it. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.