Baxter International Inc (BAX) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Sales Growth and ...

In This Article:

  • Total Company Sales Growth: 4% increase on both reported and constant currency basis.

  • Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $0.80, ahead of guidance range of $0.77 to $0.79.

  • Medical Products & Therapies Segment Growth: 7% increase at both reported and constant currency rates.

  • Healthcare Systems & Technologies Segment Growth: 1% increase on both reported and constant currency rates.

  • Pharmaceuticals Segment Growth: 1% increase on both reported and constant currency basis.

  • Kidney Care Segment Growth: 4% increase on a reported basis and 5% at constant currency.

  • Adjusted Operating Margin: 15.6%, inclusive of discontinued operations, an increase of 40 basis points versus the prior year.

  • Adjusted Gross Margin: 42.5%, an increase of 80 basis points over the prior year.

  • Net Interest Expense: $88 million, a decrease of $40 million versus the prior year period.

  • Full Year Sales Growth Guidance: 1% to 2% as reported, approximately 2% on a constant currency basis.

  • Full Year Adjusted EPS Guidance: $2.90 to $2.94 per diluted share, inclusive of discontinued operations.

Release Date: November 08, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX) reported a 4% sales growth in the third quarter of 2024, in line with prior guidance.

  • The Medical Products & Therapies segment led with a 7% growth, driven by strong demand for the Novum IQ platform and Advanced Surgery division.

  • The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share of $0.80, surpassing the guidance range of $0.77 to $0.79.

  • Baxter's North Cove facility recovery efforts were ahead of schedule, with key production lines restarting sooner than expected.

  • The pending sale of the Kidney Care business is progressing well, expected to close by late 2024 or early 2025, which aligns with Baxter's strategic transformation goals.

Negative Points

  • Hurricane Helene significantly impacted Baxter's North Cove operations, leading to an estimated $200 million sales loss in the fourth quarter.

  • The Healthcare Systems & Technologies segment showed only 1% growth, with challenges in the US primary care market and international sales declines.

  • Pharmaceuticals segment growth was limited to 1%, with supply constraints and sales phasing issues affecting performance.

  • Stranded costs from the Kidney Care business divestiture negatively impacted operating margins by 240 basis points in the third quarter.

  • The company anticipates a continued negative impact from Hurricane Helene into the first quarter of 2025, affecting sales and operations.