For the quarter ended March 2025, Baxter International (BAX) reported revenue of $2.63 billion, down 26.9% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.55, compared to $0.65 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.57 billion, representing a surprise of +2.09%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +14.58%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.48.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Baxter performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Net Sales- Advanced Surgery- International: $123 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $117.52 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +6%.
• Net Sales- Pharmaceuticals- U.S. $195 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $196.51 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.1%.
• Net Sales- Front Line Care- International: $75 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $69.14 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +7.1%.
• Net Sales- Other- U.S. $48 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $15.59 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +336.4%.
• Net Sales- Pharmaceuticals: $581 million compared to the $590.04 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +0.5% year over year.
• Net Sales- Other: $78 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $46.71 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +387.5%.
• Net Sales- Front Line Care: $277 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $269.11 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.5%.
• Net Sales- Infusion Therapies and Technologies: $994 million compared to the $975.62 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2.9% year over year.
• Net Sales- Care and Connectivity Solutions: $427 million versus $416.60 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +6.2% change.
• Net Sales- Healthcare Systems and Technologies: $704 million compared to the $685.71 million average estimate based on four analysts.
• Net Sales- Medical Products and Therapies: $1.26 billion compared to the $1.25 billion average estimate based on four analysts.
• Net Sales- Injectables and Anesthesia: $335 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $330.83 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Baxter here>>>

Shares of Baxter have returned -7.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research