Baxter Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Baxter International reported fourth-quarter sales of $3.2 billion, a 5% year-over-year increase, despite a flat U.S. market. International sales rose 8%, driven by Acute Therapies demand during COVID-19. Fourth-quarter net income was $168 million or $0.33 per share, influenced by special items totaling $244 million. For 2020, sales reached $11.7 billion, up 3%, with net income of $1.1 billion. The company expects 2021 sales growth of 7-8% and adjusted earnings per share of $3.35 to $3.43. Baxter remains committed to shareholder value and innovation amidst ongoing challenges.

Positive

• 4Q 2020 sales increased 5% YoY to $3.2 billion.
• International sales rose 8%, led by Acute Therapies.
• Net income for 2020 was $1.1 billion, a 10% increase from 2019.
• In 2020, Baxter returned $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.
• For 2021, Baxter forecasts sales growth of 7-8% and adjusted EPS of $3.35 to $3.43.

Negative

• 4Q U.S. sales remained flat and declined 1% operationally.
• Fourth-quarter adjusted net income decreased 18% YoY to $412 million.
• The U.S. market faced low hospital admission rates, impacting overall sales.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a leading global medical products company, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020, and provided its financial guidance for 2021.

“Amid an unprecedented global public health crisis, Baxter remains focused on advancing our Mission for patients and driving value for all stakeholders,” said José (Joe) E. Almeida, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our 2020 performance demonstrates the underlying strength of our portfolio, as well as our heightened agility and resilience fueled by our ongoing transformation. As we enter 2021, we remain focused on our strategy to accelerate sales through enhanced commercial execution and innovation as well as driving margin expansion this year and beyond.”

Fourth-Quarter Financial Results

Worldwide sales in the fourth quarter totaled $3.2 billion, an increase of 5% on a reported basis, 3% on a constant currency basis and 2% on an operational basis. Operational sales in the fourth quarter exclude the impact of foreign exchange and the company’s February 2020 acquisition of Seprafilm.

Sales in the U.S. totaled $1.3 billion, remaining flat on a reported basis and declining 1% on an operational basis. International sales of $1.9 billion grew 8% on a reported basis, 5% on a constant currency basis and 4% on an operational basis.

Growth among Baxter’s global business units (GBUs) at both reported and constant currency rates was led by Acute Therapies, which continues to experience increased product demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales in Baxter’s Renal Care and Clinical Nutrition GBUs increased on both a reported and constant currency basis. Also contributing to growth in the quarter was increased sales in Advanced Surgery, which benefitted from the acquisition of Seprafilm. Performance in these GBUs helped offset sales declines in Medication Delivery and Pharmaceuticals on both a reported and constant currency basis, which continue to be impacted by lower rates of hospital admissions in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. During the quarter, the company estimates that, in the U.S., hospital admissions declined low double digits and surgical procedures were flat as compared to pre-COVID levels.

By geographic segment, strong performance in APAC and EMEA helped offset headwinds in the Americas, which declined 1% on both a reported and operational basis and was flat on a constant currency basis.

Please see the attached schedules accompanying this press release for additional details on sales performance in the quarter, including breakouts by Baxter’s GBUs and geographic segments.

For the fourth quarter, net income attributable to Baxter was $168 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, an increase of $0.38 per share on a U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) basis. These results include special items totaling $244 million after-tax, which were primarily related to a loss on the extinguishment of debt, intangible asset amortization, business optimization expenses and a noncash pension settlement charge, among other factors. On an adjusted basis, net income attributable to Baxter totaled $412 million in the fourth quarter, or $0.80 per diluted share, a decrease of 18% compared to the prior-year period.

Full-Year Financial Results

Baxter’s 2020 worldwide sales totaled $11.7 billion, an increase of 3% on both a reported and constant currency basis and 2% on an operational basis. Operational sales for 2020 exclude the impact of foreign exchange and the company’s February 2020 acquisition of Seprafilm.

Sales in the U.S. totaled $4.9 billion, growing at 1% on a reported basis and remaining flat on an operational basis. International sales of $6.8 billion grew 4% on both a reported and operational basis and 5% on a constant currency basis.

The accompanying schedules include additional details on sales performance by GBU and geographic segment.

On a U.S. GAAP basis, 2020 net income attributable to Baxter totaled $1.1 billion, or $2.13 per diluted share, increasing 10% compared to the previous year. These results include special items totaling $495 million after-tax, which were primarily related to intangible asset amortization, a loss on the extinguishment of debt and business optimization expenses, among other factors. On an adjusted basis, 2020 net income attributable to Baxter totaled $1.6 billion, or $3.09 per diluted share, a decrease of 7% compared to the prior-year period. These results compared favorably to the company’s previously issued guidance, driven by solid sales performance during the fourth quarter.

For the full year, Baxter generated $1.9 billion in operating cash flow from continuing operations and $1.2 billion in free cash flow (operating cash flow from continuing operations less capital expenditures of $709 million). During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased $500 million worth of common stock or 6 million shares.

“Even as we rise to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Baxter is committed to returning value to shareholders while strategically pursuing investment in a range of organic and inorganic growth opportunities,” said Jay Saccaro, chief financial officer. “In 2020, we returned approximately $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, and we deployed approximately $500 million to inorganic investments to fuel future growth.”

Business Highlights²

Baxter continues to achieve notable strategic milestones in pursuit of its Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Among the highlights of 2020 and early 2021, the company:

• Increased manufacturing capacity and production levels to help address surging demand for a range of Baxter products associated with COVID-19 patient care.
• Completed agreements for Baxter’s BioPharma Solutions (BPS) business unit to provide sterile manufacturing services for COVID-19 vaccines.
• Prepared to support the new End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Choices (ETC) payment model, finalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in late 2020, as a core component of the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative (AAKHI). The ETC payment model encourages access to and adoption of home dialysis.
• Announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the Homechoice Claria automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) system with its Sharesource connectivity platform for both adult and pediatric populations. Homechoice Claria combines a simple user interface with the benefits of Sharesource, the only two-way remote patient management platform for patients on peritoneal dialysis in the U.S.
• Announced FDA De Novo authorization for Theranova, a novel dialysis membrane designed to deliver expanded hemodialysis (HDx) therapy, which filters a wider range of molecules from the blood than traditional hemodialysis (HD) filters. By granting a De Novo authorization, the FDA is establishing a new class of dialyzer technology with an expanded solute removal profile.
• Received CE marking in Europe and Health Canada approval for the leading edge Novum IQ Infusion platform. The platform includes both large volume and syringe infusion pumps, and features Baxter’s Dose IQ Safety Software and IQ Enterprise Connectivity Suite, intuitive digital health technologies developed to protect patients, manage devices and provide advanced insights.
• Acquired toSense, a California-based technology company focused on developing sensors and software for broad applications in non-invasive patient monitoring. toSense brings technology and expertise that is expected to be instrumental in Baxter’s development and launch of leading edge monitoring innovations.
• Announced results of the Fluid Response Evaluation in Sepsis Hypotension and Shock (FRESH) study using the Starling Fluid Management Monitoring System, published in the CHEST medical journal, the official publication of the American College of Chest Physicians. Performed at 13 hospitals across the United States and United Kingdom, the FRESH study demonstrated lower net fluid balance, reduced mechanical ventilation, and reduced kidney injury in septic shock patients when a non-invasive dynamic assessment was used to guide intravenous (IV) fluid and vasopressor administration.
• Was granted FDA approval of new formulations of Clinimix (amino acids in dextrose) Injections and Clinimix E (amino acids with electrolytes in dextrose and calcium) Injections. These new formulations contain the highest protein in any multi-chamber bag available in the U.S., allowing clinicians more flexibility in meeting their patients’ nutritional goals.
• Completed the acquisition of Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier and related assets from Sanofi. The product is a strong complement to Baxter’s leading surgical hemostat and sealant portfolio; and there are opportunities to reach more potential users based on the breadth of Baxter’s commercial footprint in Advanced Surgery.
• Received FDA Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for Baxter’s Oxiris filter set, Regiocit replacement solution, HF20 Set and ST Set. The EUAs provide clinicians with new options to help care for critically ill patients amid rising demand for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These EUA products are authorized by FDA for use for no longer than the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency and have neither been cleared or approved by FDA to treat patients with COVID-19 infection.
• Announced a distribution agreement with bioMérieux, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, for the NEPHROCLEAR^TM CCL14 diagnostic test. The test is currently in development for use in assessing the risk of developing persistent severe acute kidney injury (AKI).

Corporate Responsibility

Baxter is fully committed to promoting the power of diversity in support of its Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Last year, in the wake of horrific violence against the Black community in the U.S., the company launched ACT (Activating Change Today), a multidimensional initiative to advance racial justice. ACT represents a collaboration among Baxter’s senior leadership, the Baxter Black Alliance business resource group and colleagues from across the company. The program is focused on driving results across four key areas – Workforce, Workplace, Community and Marketplace – encompassing employees, external stakeholders, and the markets and communities Baxter serves.

Also in 2020, Baxter published its first Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) index, a voluntary public disclosure that provides transparent and relevant corporate responsibility information to investors and other key stakeholders. Baxter’s first index aligns with SASB’s Medical Equipment and Supplies Sustainability Accounting Standard and provides information on five topics: Affordability and Pricing, Product Safety, Ethical Marketing, Product Design and Lifecycle Management, and Supply Chain Management. Moving forward, Baxter expects to include a SASB index in the company’s annual Corporate Responsibility Report.

Baxter continues to be recognized for its commitment to corporate responsibility and workplace excellence. Over the course of 2020 and early 2021, the company:

• Was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices – DJSI World and DJSI North America; Baxter has appeared each year since the indices launched, in 1999 and 2005, respectively.
• Scored 100% on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has scored 100%.
• Ranked number 30 on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s 400 Most Responsible Companies.
• Ranked number 40 of 928 companies by Forbes and JUST Capital on the 2021 Just 100 list of America’s “Most Just” companies.
• Was named to 3BL Media’s list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2020.
• Ranked among the top 10% on the 2020 Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index.
• Ranked in the top 10% on Disability:IN’s 2020 Disability Equality Index, designating Baxter as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.
• Was recognized among the Top 75 Companies for Executive Women by Working Mother Media.
• Was named to Working Mother magazine’s 2020 lists of the 100 Best Companies and the Best Companies for Dads.
• Was recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for Women 2020.

2021 Financial Outlook

For full-year 2021: Baxter expects sales growth of 7% to 8% on a reported basis and 4% to 5% on a constant currency basis. The company expects U.S. GAAP earnings of $2.91 to $2.99 per diluted share and adjusted earnings, before special items, of $3.35 to $3.43 per diluted share.

For first-quarter 2021: The company expects sales growth of approximately 3% on a reported basis and sales to decline low single digits on a constant currency basis. The company expects U.S. GAAP earnings of $0.53 to $0.55 per diluted share and adjusted earnings, before special items, of $0.63 to $0.65 per diluted share.

A webcast of Baxter’s fourth-quarter 2020 conference call for investors can be accessed live from a link on the company’s website at www.baxter.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. CST on February 4, 2021. Please see www.baxter.com for more information regarding this and future investor events and webcasts.

About Baxter

Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter’s leading portfolio of critical care, nutrition, renal, hospital and surgical products. For more than 85 years, we’ve been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen. With products, technologies and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter’s employees worldwide are now building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables contain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted gross margin, adjusted selling, general and administrative expense, adjusted research and development expense, adjusted other operating income, net, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted other expense, net, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to Baxter stockholders, and adjusted diluted earnings per share, all of which exclude special items, sales growth on a constant currency and operational basis, and free cash flow. Special items are excluded because they are highly variable or unusual, and of a size that may substantially affect the company’s reported operations for a period. Certain of those items represent estimates based on information reasonably available at the time of this press release. Future events or new information may result in different actual results.

Net sales growth rates are presented on a constant currency basis. These measures provide information on the percentage change in net sales growth assuming that foreign currency exchange rates have not changed between the prior and current periods. Net sales growth rates are also presented on an operational basis. For the quarter and year-to-date periods ended December 31, 2020, operational sales growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange and the company’s acquisition of Seprafilm in February 2020. This measure provides information on the change in net sales growth rates assuming that foreign exchange rates remain constant and excluding the impact of the company’s acquisition of Seprafilm.

For the quarter and year-to-date periods ended December 31, 2020, special items include intangible asset amortization, business optimization charges, acquisition and integration expenses, expenses related to European medical devices regulation, investigation and related costs, pension settlement charges, a loss on the extinguishment of debt and Sigma Spectrum infusion pump inspection and remediation charges. Additionally, special items for the year-to-date period ended December 31, 2020 include an intangible asset impairment charge. These items are excluded because they are highly variable or unusual and of a size that may substantially impact the company’s reported operations for a period. Additionally, intangible asset amortization is excluded as a special item to facilitate an evaluation of current and past operating performance and is consistent with how management and the company’s Board of Directors assess performance.

Non-GAAP financial measures may enhance an understanding of the company’s operations and may facilitate an analysis of those operations, particularly in evaluating performance from one period to another. Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the reconciliations to corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures, may enhance an investor’s overall understanding of the company’s past financial performance and prospects for the future. Accordingly, management and the company’s Board of Directors use these non-GAAP measures internally in financial planning, to monitor business unit performance, and, in some cases, for purposes of determining incentive compensation. This information should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes for, information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the company’s financial results and business development activities and outlook for first-quarter and full-year 2021. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the businesses of our customers; demand for and market acceptance of risks for new and existing products (including the impact of reduced hospital admission rates and elective surgery volumes); product development risks (including any delays in required regulatory approvals); product quality or patient safety concerns; the impact of competitive products and pricing, including generic competition, drug reimportation and disruptive technologies; accurate identification of and execution on business development and R&D opportunities and realization of anticipated benefits (including the acquisitions of Cheetah Medical and Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier); loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees; continuity, availability and pricing of acceptable raw materials and component supply or the inability to create additional production capacity in a timely manner or the occurrence of other manufacturing or supply difficulties (including as a result of a natural disaster, public health crises and epidemics/pandemics, regulatory actions or otherwise); breaches or failures of the company’s information technology systems or products, including by cyberattack, unauthorized access or theft; the impact of global economic conditions (including potential trade wars); future actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, including the FDA, the Department of Justice, the SEC, the New York Attorney General, the Environmental Protection Agency and foreign regulatory agencies, including the continued delay in lifting the warning letter at our Ahmedabad facility or proceedings related to the investigation related to foreign exchange gains and losses; increasing regulatory focus on privacy and security issues; failures with respect to compliance programs; U.S. healthcare reform and other global austerity measures; pricing, reimbursement, taxation and rebate policies of government agencies and private payers; proposed regulatory changes of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in kidney health policy and reimbursement, which may substantially change the U.S. end stage renal disease market and demand for our peritoneal dialysis products, necessitating significant multi-year capital expenditures, which are difficult to estimate in advance; the ability to enforce owned or in-licensed patents or the prevention or restriction of the manufacture, sale or use of products or technology affected by patents of third parties; global, trade and tax policies; any change in laws concerning the taxation of income (including current or future tax reform), including income earned outside the United States and potential taxes associated with the Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax; actions taken by tax authorities in connection with ongoing tax audits; the outcome of pending or future litigation, including the opioid litigation and litigation related to our internal investigation of foreign exchange gains and losses; current or worsening economic conditions; fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates; and other risks identified in Baxter’s most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other SEC filings, all of which are available on Baxter’s website. Baxter does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless otherwise required by the federal securities laws.

Baxter, Cheetah Medical, Clinimix, Clinimix E, Dose IQ, Homechoice Claria, IQ Enterprise, Novum IQ, Oxiris, Preveleak, Recothrom, Regiocit, Seprafilm, Sharesource, Sigma Spectrum, Starling, Theranova and toSense are registered trademarks of Baxter International Inc. Other trademarks appearing here are the property of their respective owners.

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¹ See tables to the press release for reconciliations of non-GAAP measures used in this press release to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.

² See links to original press releases for additional product information.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in millions, except per share and percentage data)
		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				Change
NET SALES		$	3,181			$	3,039			5%
COST OF SALES		1,990				1,741				14%
GROSS MARGIN		1,191				1,298				(8)%
% of Net Sales		37.4		%		42.7		%		(5.3 pts)
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		650				666				(2)%
% of Net Sales		20.4		%		21.9		%		(1.5 pts)
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES		135				156				(13)%
% of Net Sales		4.2		%		5.1		%		(0.9 pts)
OTHER OPERATING INCOME, NET		—				(60		)		NM
OPERATING INCOME		406				536				(24)%
% of Net Sales		12.8		%		17.6		%		(4.8 pts)
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET		38				20				90%
OTHER EXPENSE, NET		158				739				(79)%
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		210				(223		)		NM
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)		39				(204		)		NM
% of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes		18.6		%		91.5		%		(72.9 pts)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		171				(19		)		NM
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		3				4				(25)%
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAXTER STOCKHOLDERS		$	168			$	(23	)		NM
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic		$	0.33			$	(0.05	)		NM
Diluted		$	0.33			$	(0.05	)		NM
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		510				506
Diluted		516				506
ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (excluding special items)¹		$	563			$	609			(8)%
ADJUSTED INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (excluding special items)¹		$	520			$	605			(14)%
ADJUSTED NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAXTER STOCKHOLDERS (excluding special items)¹		$	412			$	501			(18)%
ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS (excluding special items)¹		$	0.80			$	0.97			(18)%
ADJUSTED WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING FOR ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS1		516				515

1 Refer to page 12 for a description of the adjustments and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP measures.

NM - Not Meaningful

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Description of Adjustments and Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited, in millions)
The company’s U.S. GAAP results for the three months ended December 31, 2020 included special items which impacted the U.S. GAAP measures as follows:
		Gross Margin			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses			Research and Development Expenses			Other Operating Income, Net			Operating Income			Other Expense, Net			Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes			Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			Net Income (Loss)			Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Baxter Stockholders			Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Reported		$	1,191		$	650		$	135		$	—		$	406		$	158		$	210		$	39		$	171		$	168		$	0.33
Reported percent of net sales (or percent of income (loss) before income taxes for income tax expense (benefit))		37.4		%	20.4		%	4.2		%	0.0		%	12.8		%	5.0		%	6.6		%	18.6		%	5.4		%	5.3		%
Intangible asset amortization1		57			—			—			—			57			—			57			13			44			44			0.09
Business optimization items2		29			(25		)	(3		)	—			57			—			57			14			43			43			0.08
Acquisition and integration expenses3		—			(2		)	—			—			2			—			2			—			2			2			0.00
European medical devices regulation4		11			—			—			—			11			—			11			2			9			9			0.02
Investigation and related costs5		—			(1		)	—			—			1			—			1			—			1			1			0.00
Pension settlement7		—			—			—			—			—			(43		)	43			10			33			33			0.06
Loss on debt extinguishment8		—			—			—			—			—			(110		)	110			20			90			90			0.17
Product-related items9		29			—			—			—			29			—			29			7			22			22			0.04
Adjusted		$	1,317		$	622		$	132		$	—		$	563		$	5		$	520		$	105		$	415		$	412		$	0.80
Adjusted percent of net sales (or adjusted percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense)		41.4		%	19.6		%	4.1		%	0.0		%	17.7		%	0.2		%	16.3		%	20.2		%	13.0		%	13.0		%

The company’s U.S. GAAP results for the three months ended December 31, 2019 included special items which impacted the U.S. GAAP measures as follows:
		Gross Margin			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses			Research and Development Expenses			Other Operating Income, Net			Operating Income			Other Expense, Net			Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes			Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			Net Income (Loss)			Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Baxter Stockholders			Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Reported		$	1,298		$	666		$	156		$	(60	)	$	536		$	739		$	(223	)	$	(204	)	$	(19	)	$	(23	)	$	(0.05	)
Reported percent of net sales (or percent of income (loss) before income taxes for income tax expense (benefit))		42.7		%	21.9		%	5.1		%	(2.0		)%	17.6		%	24.3		%	(7.3		)%	91.5		%	(0.6		)%	(0.8		)%
Intangible asset amortization1		47			—			—			—			47			—			47			8			39			39			0.09
Business optimization items2		30			(20		)	(3		)	—			53			—			53			8			45			45			0.09
Acquisition and integration expenses3		5			(12		)	—			—			17			—			17			3			14			14			0.03
European medical devices regulation4		8			—			—			—			8			—			8			2			6			6			0.01
Investigation and related costs5		—			(8		)	—			—			8			—			8			2			6			6			0.01
Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries6		—			—			—			60			(60		)	—			(60		)	(15		)	(45		)	(45		)	(0.09		)
Pension settlement7		—			—			—			—			—			(755		)	755			187			568			568			1.10
Swiss and India tax reform10		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			109			(109		)	(109		)	(0.22		)
Adjusted		$	1,388		$	626		$	153		$	—		$	609		$	(16	)	$	605		$	100		$	505		$	501		$	0.97
Adjusted percent of net sales (or adjusted percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense)		45.7		%	20.6		%	5.0		%	0.0		%	20.0		%	(0.5		)%	19.9		%	16.5		%	16.6		%	16.5		%
Weighted-average diluted shares as reported		506
Effect of dilutive securities that were anti-dilutive to diluted EPS as reported		9
Weighted-average diluted shares as adjusted		515

1. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included intangible asset amortization expense of $57 million ($44 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $47 million ($39 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis), respectively.
2. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included charges of $57 million ($43 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $53 million ($45 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis), respectively, associated with its programs to optimize its organization and cost structure.
3. The company’s results in 2020 included $2 million ($2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) of acquisition and integration expenses related to the acquisition of Seprafilm. The company’s results in 2019 included $17 million ($14 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) of acquisition and integration expenses. This included acquisition and integration expenses related to the company's acquisitions of Claris and the Recothrom and Preveleak products in prior periods.
4. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included costs of $11 million ($9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $8 million ($6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to updating its quality systems and product labeling to comply with the new medical device reporting regulation and other requirements of the European Union’s regulations for medical devices that are scheduled to become effective in 2021.
5. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included costs of $1 million ($1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $8 million ($6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) for investigation and related costs. This included costs related to the company's investigation of foreign exchange gains and losses associated with certain intra-company transactions and related legal matters.
6. The company's results in 2019 included a benefit of $60 million ($45 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to insurance recoveries as a result of losses incurred due to Hurricane Maria.
7. The company's results in 2020 included a charge of $43 million ($33 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to lump-sum settlement distributions made to certain former U.S. employees with vested pension benefits. The company's results in 2019 included a charge of $755 million ($568 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to the annuitization of a portion of the company's U.S. pension plan.
8. The company's results in 2020 included a loss of $110 million ($90 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) on the November 2020 early extinguishment of $750 million of 3.75% senior notes that were issued in March 2020.
9. The company's results in 2020 included a net charge of $29 million ($22 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to Sigma Spectrum infusion pump inspection and remediation activities.
10. The company's results in 2019 included a benefit of $109 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, related to income tax reform in Switzerland and India.

For more information on the company's use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in millions, except per share and percentage data)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				Change
NET SALES		$	11,673			$	11,362			3%
COST OF SALES		7,086				6,601				7%
GROSS MARGIN		4,587				4,761				(4)%
% of Net Sales		39.3		%		41.9		%		(2.6 pts)
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		2,469				2,535				(3)%
% of Net Sales		21.2		%		22.3		%		(1.1 pts)
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES		521				595				(12)%
% of Net Sales		4.5		%		5.2		%		(0.7 pts)
OTHER OPERATING INCOME, NET		(19		)		(141		)		(87)%
OPERATING INCOME		1,616				1,772				(9)%
% of Net Sales		13.8		%		15.6		%		(1.8 pts)
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET		134				71				89%
OTHER EXPENSE, NET		190				731				(74)%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		1,292				970				33%
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)		182				(41		)		NM
% of Income Before Income Taxes		14.1		%		(4.2		)%		18.3 pts
NET INCOME		1,110				1,011				10%
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		8				10				(20)%
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAXTER STOCKHOLDERS		$	1,102			$	1,001			10%
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic		$	2.17			$	1.97			10%
Diluted		$	2.13			$	1.93			10%
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		509				509
Diluted		517				519
ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (excluding special items)¹		$	2,097			$	2,120			(1)%
ADJUSTED INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (excluding special items)¹		$	1,926			$	2,073			(7)%
ADJUSTED NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAXTER STOCKHOLDERS (excluding special items)¹		$	1,597			$	1,717			(7)%
ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS (excluding special items)¹		$	3.09			$	3.31			(7)%

1 Refer to page 14 for a description of the adjustments and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP measures.

NM - Not Meaningful

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Description of Adjustments and Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited, in millions)
The company’s U.S. GAAP results for the year ended December 31, 2020 included special items which impacted the U.S. GAAP measures as follows:
		Gross Margin			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses			Research and Development Expenses			Other Operating Income, Net			Operating Income			Other Expense, Net			Income Before Income Taxes			Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			Net Income			Net Income Attributable to Baxter Stockholders			Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported		$	4,587		$	2,469		$	521		$	(19	)	$	1,616		$	190		$	1,292		$	182		$	1,110		$	1,102		$	2.13
Reported percent of net sales (or percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense (benefit))		39.3		%	21.2		%	4.5		%	(0.2		)%	13.8		%	1.6		%	11.1		%	14.1		%	9.5		%	9.4		%
Intangible asset amortization1		222			—			—			—			222			—			222			51			171			171			0.33
Business optimization items2		53			(78		)	(3		)	17			117			—			117			27			90			90			0.17
Acquisition and integration expenses3		11			(9		)	(22		)	2			40			—			40			8			32			32			0.06
European medical devices regulation4		33			—			—			—			33			—			33			8			25			25			0.05
Investigation and related costs5		3			(19		)	(1		)	—			23			—			23			4			19			19			0.04
Intangible asset impairment6		17			—			—			—			17			—			17			4			13			13			0.03
Pension settlement9		—			—			—			—			—			(43		)	43			10			33			33			0.06
Loss on debt extinguishment10		—			—			—			—			—			(110		)	110			20			90			90			0.17
Product-related items11		29			—			—			—			29			—			29			7			22			22			0.04
Adjusted		$	4,955		$	2,363		$	495		$	—		$	2,097		$	37		$	1,926		$	321		$	1,605		$	1,597		$	3.09
Adjusted percent of net sales (or adjusted percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense)		42.4		%	20.2		%	4.2		%	0.0		%	18.0		%	0.3		%	16.5		%	16.7		%	13.7		%	13.7		%

The company’s U.S. GAAP results for the year ended December 31, 2019 included special items which impacted the U.S. GAAP measures as follows:
		Gross Margin			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses			Research and Development Expenses			Other Operating Income, Net			Operating Income			Other Expense, Net			Income Before Income Taxes			Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			Net Income			Net Income Attributable to Baxter Stockholders			Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported		$	4,761		$	2,535		$	595		$	(141	)	$	1,772		$	731		$	970		$	(41	)	$	1,011		$	1,001		$	1.93
Reported percent of net sales (or percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense (benefit))		41.9		%	22.3		%	5.2		%	(1.2		)%	15.6		%	6.4		%	8.5		%	(4.2		)%	8.9		%	8.8		%
Intangible asset amortization1		183			—			—			—			183			—			183			42			141			141			0.27
Business optimization items2		69			(70		)	(45		)	—			184			—			184			37			147			147			0.28
Acquisition and integration expenses3		30			(20		)	(8		)	4			54			—			54			14			40			40			0.08
European medical devices regulation4		25			—			—			—			25			—			25			6			19			19			0.04
Investigation and related costs5		—			(8		)	—			—			8			—			8			2			6			6			0.01
Intangible asset impairment6		31			—			—			—			31			—			31			7			24			24			0.05
Insurance recoveries from a legacy product-related matter7		—			—			—			37			(37		)	—			(37		)	(8		)	(29		)	(29		)	(0.05		)
Hurricane Maria insurance recoveries8		—			—			—			100			(100		)	—			(100		)	(25		)	(75		)	(75		)	(0.15		)
Pension settlement9		—			—			—			—			—			(755		)	755			187			568			568			1.09
Swiss and India tax reform12		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			109			(109		)	(109		)	(0.21		)
U.S. tax reform13		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			16			(16		)	(16		)	(0.03		)
Adjusted		$	5,099		$	2,437		$	542		$	—		$	2,120		$	(24	)	$	2,073		$	346		$	1,727		$	1,717		$	3.31
Adjusted percent of net sales (or adjusted percent of income before income taxes for income tax expense)		44.9		%	21.4		%	4.8		%	0.0		%	18.7		%	(0.2		)%	18.2		%	16.7		%	15.2		%	15.1		%

1. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included intangible asset amortization expense of $222 million ($171 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $183 million ($141 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis), respectively.
2. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included charges of $134 million ($107 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $184 million ($147 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis), respectively, associated with its programs to optimize its organization and cost structure. Additionally, we recorded a gain of $17 million ($17 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) in 2020 for property we sold in conjunction with our business optimization initiatives.
3. The company’s results in 2020 included $40 million ($32 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) of acquisition and integration expenses. This included acquisition and integration expenses related to the company's acquisitions of Cheetah Medical and Seprafilm and the purchase of in-process R&D assets, partially offset by a benefit related to the change in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration liabilities. The company’s results in 2019 included $54 million ($40 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) of acquisition and integration expenses. This included integration expenses related to the company's acquisitions of Claris and the Recothrom and Preveleak products in prior periods as well as the 2019 acquisition of in-process R&D assets, partially offset by a benefit related to the change in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration liabilities.
4. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included costs of $33 million ($25 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $25 million ($19 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to updating its quality systems and product labeling to comply with the new medical device reporting regulation and other requirements of the European Union’s regulations for medical devices that are scheduled to become effective in 2021.
5. The company’s results in 2020 and 2019 included costs of $23 million ($19 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $8 million ($6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) for investigation and related costs. This included costs related to the company's investigation of foreign exchange gains and losses associated with certain intra-company transactions and related legal matters. Additionally, the company recorded incremental stock compensation expense as it extended the terms of certain stock options that were scheduled to expire in the first quarter of 2020.
6. The company's results in 2020 and 2019 included charges of $17 million ($13 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) and $31 million ($24 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) for asset impairments related to developed-technology intangible assets.
7. The company's results in 2019 included a benefit of $37 million ($29 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to its allocation of insurance proceeds received pursuant to a settlement and cost-sharing agreement for a legacy product-related matter.
8. The company's results in 2019 included a benefit of $100 million ($75 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to insurance recoveries as a result of losses incurred due to Hurricane Maria.
9. The company's results in 2020 included a charge of $43 million ($33 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to lump-sum settlement distributions made to certain former U.S. employees with vested pension benefits. The company's results in 2019 included a charge of $755 million ($568 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to the annuitization of a portion of the company's U.S. pension plan.
10. The company's results in 2020 included a loss of $110 million ($90 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) on the November 2020 early extinguishment of $750 million of 3.75% senior notes that were issued in March 2020.
11. The company's results in 2020 included a net charge of $29 million ($22 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis) related to Sigma Spectrum infusion pump inspection and remediation activities.
12. The company's results in 2019 included a benefit of $109 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, related to income tax reform in Switzerland and India.
13. The company's results in 2019 included updates to the estimated impact of U.S. federal tax reform previously made by the company of $16 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.

For more information on the company's use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Sales by Operating Segment
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
		Three Months Ended December 31,											Years Ended December 31,
		2020			2019			% Growth @ Actual Rates		% Growth @ Constant Rates			2020			2019			% Growth @ Actual Rates		% Growth @ Constant Rates
Americas		$	1,614		$	1,632		(1	)%	0	%		$	6,069		$	6,094		(0	)%	1	%
EMEA		867			789			10	%	5	%		3,129			2,968			5	%	5	%
APAC		700			618			13	%	8	%		2,475			2,300			8	%	7	%
Total Baxter		$	3,181		$	3,039		5	%	3	%		$	11,673		$	11,362		3	%	3	%

Constant currency growth is a non-GAAP measure. For more information on the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Sales by GBU
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
		Three Months Ended December 31,											Years Ended December 31,
		2020			2019			% Growth @ Actual Rates		% Growth @ Constant Rates			2020			2019			% Growth @ Actual Rates		% Growth @ Constant Rates
Renal Care 1		$	1,013		$	960		6	%	4	%		$	3,757		$	3,639		3	%	4	%
Medication Delivery 2		753			775			(3	)%	(3	)%		2,735			2,799			(2	)%	(2	)%
Pharmaceuticals 3		571			580			(2	)%	(4	)%		2,123			2,155			(1	)%	(1	)%
Clinical Nutrition 4		246			233			6	%	4	%		922			872			6	%	6	%
Advanced Surgery 5		260			231			13	%	10	%		888			877			1	%	1	%
Acute Therapies 6		221			144			53	%	50	%		740			535			38	%	39	%
Other7		117			116			1	%	(4	)%		508			485			5	%	4	%
Total Baxter		$	3,181		$	3,039		5	%	3	%		$	11,673		$	11,362		3	%	3	%

1. Includes sales of the company’s peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and additional dialysis therapies and services.
2. Includes sales of the company’s intravenous (IV) therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets and drug reconstitution devices.
3. Includes sales of the company’s premixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services.
4. Includes sales of the company’s parenteral nutrition (PN) therapies and related products.
5. Includes sales of the company’s biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention.
6. Includes sales of the company’s continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit (ICU).
7. Includes primarily sales of contract manufacturing services from the company’s pharmaceutical partnering business.

Constant currency growth is a non-GAAP measure. For more information on the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
GBU Sales by U.S. and International
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2020										2019										% Growth
		U.S.			International			Total				U.S.			International			Total				U.S.		International		Total
Renal Care		$	219		$	794		$	1,013			$	204		$	756		$	960			7	%	5	%	6	%
Medication Delivery		486			267			753				514			261			775				(5	)%	2	%	(3	)%
Pharmaceuticals		221			350			571				250			330			580				(12	)%	6	%	(2	)%
Clinical Nutrition		92			154			246				84			149			233				10	%	3	%	6	%
Advanced Surgery		148			112			260				138			93			231				7	%	20	%	13	%
Acute Therapies		82			139			221				48			96			144				71	%	45	%	53	%
Other		42			75			117				51			65			116				(18	)%	15	%	1	%
Total Baxter		$	1,290		$	1,891		$	3,181			$	1,289		$	1,750		$	3,039			0	%	8	%	5	%

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
GBU Sales by U.S. and International
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2020										2019										% Growth
		U.S.			International			Total				U.S.			International			Total				U.S.		International		Total
Renal Care		$	848		$	2,909		$	3,757			$	791		$	2,848		$	3,639			7	%	2	%	3	%
Medication Delivery		1,782			953			2,735				1,822			977			2,799				(2	)%	(2	)%	(2	)%
Pharmaceuticals		874			1,249			2,123				940			1,215			2,155				(7	)%	3	%	(1	)%
Clinical Nutrition		342			580			922				320			552			872				7	%	5	%	6	%
Advanced Surgery		518			370			888				535			342			877				(3	)%	8	%	1	%
Acute Therapies		286			454			740				184			351			535				55	%	29	%	38	%
Other		228			280			508				234			251			485				(3	)%	12	%	5	%
Total Baxter		$	4,878		$	6,795		$	11,673			$	4,826		$	6,536		$	11,362			1	%	4	%	3	%

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Operating Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2020				2019
Cash flows from operations - continuing operations		$	1,870			$	2,110
Capital expenditures		(709		)		(696		)
Free cash flow - continuing operations		$	1,161			$	1,414

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. For more information on the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Change in Net Sales Growth As Reported to Operational Sales Growth
From The Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 to The Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
(unaudited)
		Net Sales Growth As Reported		Seprafilm		FX		Operational Sales Growth*
Renal Care		6	%	0	%	(2	)%	4	%
Medication Delivery		(3	)%	0	%	0	%	(3	)%
Pharmaceuticals		(2	)%	0	%	(2	)%	(4	)%
Clinical Nutrition		6	%	0	%	(2	)%	4	%
Advanced Surgery		13	%	(12	)%	(3	)%	(2	)%
Acute Therapies		53	%	0	%	(3	)%	50	%
Other		1	%	0	%	(5	)%	(4	)%
Total Baxter		5	%	(1	)%	(2	)%	2	%
U.S.		0	%	(1	)%	0	%	(1	)%
International		8	%	(1	)%	(3	)%	4	%
Americas		(1	)%	(1	)%	1	%	(1	)%
EMEA		10	%	0	%	(5	)%	5	%
APAC		13	%	(2	)%	(5	)%	6	%

*Totals may not add across due to rounding.

Operational sales growth is a non-GAAP measure. For more information on the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Change in Net Sales Growth As Reported to Operational Sales Growth
From The Year Ended December 31, 2019 to The Year Ended December 31, 2020
(unaudited)
		Net Sales Growth As Reported		Seprafilm		FX		Operational Sales Growth*
Renal Care		3	%	0	%	1	%	4	%
Medication Delivery		(2	)%	0	%	0	%	(2	)%
Pharmaceuticals		(1	)%	0	%	0	%	(1	)%
Clinical Nutrition		6	%	0	%	0	%	6	%
Advanced Surgery		1	%	(11	)%	0	%	(10	)%
Acute Therapies		38	%	0	%	1	%	39	%
Other		5	%	0	%	(1	)%	4	%
Total Baxter		3	%	(1	)%	0	%	2	%
U.S.		1	%	(1	)%	0	%	(0	)%
International		4	%	(1	)%	1	%	4	%
Americas		(0	)%	(1	)%	1	%	0	%
EMEA		5	%	0	%	0	%	5	%
APAC		8	%	(2	)%	(1	)%	5	%

*Totals may not add across due to rounding.

Operational sales growth is a non-GAAP measure. For more information on the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Projected First Quarter and Full Year 2021 U.S. GAAP Earnings Per Share to Projected Adjusted Earnings Per Share
(unaudited)
Earnings Per Share Guidance	Q1 2021*	FY 2021*
Earnings per Diluted Share - U.S. GAAP	$0.53 - $0.55	$2.91 - $2.99
Estimated intangible asset amortization	$0.09	$0.35
Estimated business optimization charges	$0.00	$0.02
Estimated investigation and related costs	$0.00	$0.01
Estimated European medical devices regulation	$0.01	$0.06
Earnings per Diluted Share - Adjusted	$0.63 - $0.65	$3.35 - $3.43

*Totals may not foot due to rounding

The company’s outlook for U.S. GAAP earnings per share only includes the impact of special items that are known or expected as of the date of this release. Accordingly, actual U.S. GAAP earnings per share for the full year of 2021 may differ significantly from those amounts. For example, the company’s outlook does not reflect the potential impact of future business or asset acquisitions or dispositions, intangible asset impairments, restructuring actions, developments related to gain or loss contingencies, debt extinguishment gains or losses, or unusual or infrequently occurring items that may occur during 2021.

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FAQ

What were Baxter's fourth quarter 2020 sales results for BAX?

Baxter reported fourth quarter 2020 sales of $3.2 billion, a 5% increase year-over-year.

What is Baxter's financial guidance for 2021?

Baxter expects sales growth of 7-8% and adjusted earnings per share of $3.35 to $3.43 for 2021.

How did Baxter perform in terms of net income in 2020?

Baxter's net income for 2020 was $1.1 billion, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year.

What were the main drivers of Baxter's sales growth in 2020?

Sales growth was primarily driven by demand in Acute Therapies and international markets.

What challenges did Baxter face in the fourth quarter of 2020?

Baxter faced flat U.S. sales and low hospital admissions impacting overall sales performance.