Baxter International Inc. Quarterly Valuation – August 2014 $BAX
Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company or by reviewing the 5 Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Investor. By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a specific look at how Baxter International (BAX) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Baxter International Inc. (Baxter) is a global, diversified healthcare company. Baxter, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. The Company operated in two segments: BioScience and Medication Delivery. It is engaged in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. These products are used by hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors’ offices, clinical and medical research laboratories, and by patients at home under physician supervision. Baxter manufactures products in 27 countries and sells the products in more than 100 countries. In September 2013, Baxter International Inc completed the acquisition of Gambro AB. Effective July 9, 2014, Baxter International Inc acquired AesRX LLC.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 5/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years -Â PASS
- Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years -Â PASS
- Earnings Growth – earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end of period – PASS
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 -Â PASS
- Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 -Â FAIL
Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 4/5
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 -Â PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend -Â PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago -Â PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $75.53 |
| MG Value | $93.18 |
| MG Opinion | Fairly Valued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $60.78 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $35.63 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 4.76% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$13.81 |
| PEmg | 18.02 |
| Current Ratio | 1.64 |
| PB Ratio | 4.72 |
Balance Sheet – 6/30/2014
| Current Assets | $9,487,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $5,795,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $7,528,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $25,629,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $6,555,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $16,967,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 541,670,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $5.11 |
| 2013 | $3.66 |
| 2012 | $4.18 |
| 2011 | $3.88 |
| 2010 | $2.39 |
| 2009 | $3.59 |
| 2008 | $3.16 |
| 2007 | $2.61 |
| 2006 | $2.13 |
| 2005 | $1.52 |
| 2004 | $0.62 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $4.19 |
| 2013 | $3.67 |
| 2012 | $3.60 |
| 2011 | $3.24 |
| 2010 | $2.88 |
| 2009 | $2.95 |
Dividend History
BAX Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
Baxter International is not suitable for the Defensive Investor but does qualify for the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor has concerns with the low current ratio and the high PB ratio, while the Enterprising Investor’s only initial concern is the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with research into the company and comparing it to other opportunities.  As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.88 in 2010 to an estimated $4.19 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 4.76% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price.
Be sure to check out the previous ModernGraham valuations of Baxter International (BAX) for more perspective!
The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on Baxter International (BAX)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in Baxter International (BAX) or in any other company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.  Logo taken from Wikipedia for the sole purpose of identifying the company; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.
