Baxter International (BAX) vs Cooper Companies (COO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Baxter International (BAX) has outperformed Cooper Companies (COO) over the past year, gaining 5.1% versus a loss of 22.7%. Over five years, COO leads with a -45.5% price change compared with -70.0% for BAX. Baxter International is the larger company by market cap ($12.61 billion vs $10.31 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Cooper Companies trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 12.0x for Baxter International). Baxter International pays a dividend yielding 0.82%, while Cooper Companies does not currently pay one. Cooper Companies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.2% versus -8.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BAX | COO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $24.40 | $54.22 |
| Market cap | $12.61B | $10.31B |
| 1-day change | +2.07% | -0.15% |
| YTD return | +25.07% | -33.75% |
| 1-year return | +5.05% | -22.72% |
| 5-year return | -70.01% | -45.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 18.63 |
| Forward P/E | 11.96 | 11.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.88 | $2.91 |
| Dividend yield | 0.82% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.20 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.24B | $4.09B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.72% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-957.00M | $374.90M |
| Gross margin | 30.05% | 65.54% |
| Operating margin | -2.74% | 16.69% |
| Net margin | -8.51% | 9.16% |
| 52-week high | $30.00 | $89.83 |
| 52-week low | $15.73 | $51.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.68% | -39.64% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.45% | +21.36% |
| Average volume | 6.66M | 3.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 517.00M | 190.16M |
| Employees | 37,500 | 15,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical/Dental Instruments | Ophthalmic Goods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- BAX has outperformed COO by 27.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Cooper Companies is more profitable, keeping 9.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -8.5 cents for Baxter International.
About Baxter International
BAX stock →Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a portfolio of healthcare products in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Medical Products & Therapies, Healthcare Systems & Technologies, and Pharmaceuticals.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 37,500 employees
About Cooper Companies
COO stock →The Cooper Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets contact lens wearers. The company operates in two segments, CooperVision and CooperSurgical.
Health Care · Ophthalmic Goods · 15,000 employees
BAX vs COO FAQ
Which is bigger, Baxter International or Cooper Companies?
Baxter International (BAX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.61B compared with $10.31B for Cooper Companies (COO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BAX or COO?
BAX returned +5.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.72% for COO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Baxter International or Cooper Companies?
Baxter International pays a dividend yielding 0.82%, while Cooper Companies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Baxter International and Cooper Companies in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Medical/Dental Instruments for Baxter International and Ophthalmic Goods for Cooper Companies.