Baxter International (BAX) vs Penumbra (PEN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Penumbra (PEN) has outperformed Baxter International (BAX) over the past year, gaining 27.0% versus a gain of 4.7%. Over five years, PEN leads with a +18.2% price change compared with -69.9% for BAX. Penumbra is the larger company by market cap ($12.48 billion vs $12.22 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Baxter International trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 51.7x for Penumbra). Baxter International pays a dividend yielding 0.85%, while Penumbra does not currently pay one. Penumbra converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.7% 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 | PEN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.64 | $316.72 |
| Market cap | $12.22B | $12.48B |
| 1-day change | -1.39% | +0.12% |
| YTD return | +25.43% | +1.75% |
| 1-year return | +4.67% | +27.03% |
| 5-year return | -69.92% | +18.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 77.82 |
| Forward P/E | 11.59 | 51.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.88 | $4.07 |
| Dividend yield | 0.85% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.20 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.24B | $1.40B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.72% | +17.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-957.00M | $177.69M |
| Gross margin | 30.05% | 67.14% |
| Operating margin | -2.74% | 13.48% |
| Net margin | -8.51% | 12.66% |
| 52-week high | $30.00 | $362.41 |
| 52-week low | $15.73 | $221.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.21% | -12.61% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.11% | +14.16% |
| Average volume | 6.60M | 344.71K |
| Shares outstanding | 517.00M | 39.39M |
| Employees | 37,500 | 4,700 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical/Dental Instruments | Medical/Dental Instruments |
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
- PEN has outperformed BAX by 22.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Penumbra is more profitable, keeping 12.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -8.5 cents for Baxter International.
- Penumbra grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+17.50% vs +5.72%).
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 Penumbra
PEN stock →Penumbra, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices in the United States and internationally. It offers computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy; peripheral thrombectomy products, including the Indigo System for power aspiration of thrombus in the body; Lightning Flash, a mechanical thrombectomy system; Lightning Bolt 7, an arterial thrombectomy system; and CAT RX.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 4,700 employees
BAX vs PEN FAQ
Which is bigger, Baxter International or Penumbra?
Penumbra (PEN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.48B compared with $12.22B for Baxter International (BAX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BAX or PEN?
PEN returned +27.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.67% for BAX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Baxter International or Penumbra?
Baxter International pays a dividend yielding 0.85%, while Penumbra does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Baxter International and Penumbra in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical/Dental Instruments industry within the Health Care sector.