Baxter International Inc. (BAX): Today's Featured Health Services Laggard

Baxter International (BAX) pushed the Health Services industry lower today making it today's featured Health Services laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.6%. By the end of trading, Baxter International fell 51 cents (-0.9%) to $54.95 on light volume. Throughout the day, two million shares of Baxter International exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of three million shares. The stock ranged in price between $54.54-$55.78 after having opened the day at $55.51 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $55.46. Other company's within the Health Services industry that declined today were: ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (IMUC), down 12%, Stereotaxis (STXS), down 10.1%, CombiMatrix Corporation (CBMX), down 9.2%, and ZELTIQ Aesthetics (ZLTQ), down 9%.

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Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets products for people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Baxter International has a market cap of $31.27 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.2, above the average health services industry P/E ratio of 13.8 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 12.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are 12 analysts that rate Baxter International a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Baxter International as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, growth in earnings per share, increase in net income, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

• You can view the full Baxter International Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Dynacq Healthcare (DYII), up 38.8%, Graymark Healthcare (GRMH), up 24.4%, Dehaier Medical Systems (DHRM), up 15.5%, and Cynosure (CYNO), up 10.9%, were all gainers within the health services industry with UnitedHealth Group (UNH) being today's featured health services industry leader.

• Use our health services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the health services industry could consider Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) while those bearish on the health services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Health Care (RXD).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Baxter International Inc. click any of the following:

• Baxter International Inc. Stock Price

• Baxter International Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Baxter International Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Baxter International Inc. Earnings

• Baxter International Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Baxter International Inc. Growth Rates

• Baxter International Inc. Balance Sheet

• Baxter International Inc. Cash Flow

• Baxter International Inc. Income Statement