J.P. Morgan Raises EPS Forecast On Baxter Intl

According to J.P. Morgan, Baxter Intl BAX reported strong 2Q results Thursday morning, with sales of $3.536B (+10.7% reported, +7.2% organic) coming in $159M above consensus and $131M better than the estimate. J.P. Morgan said that top-line results were aided by currency (+$50M more than the forecast) in BAX's easiest comparison of the year. “On the bottom line, we are raising our 2012 EPS forecast $0.06 to $4.74 (+9.9%) owing to better mix and higher GM.” Baxter Intl closed yesterday at $62.41.