BAX engages in the worldwide development, manfacture and distribution of products, systems and services used primarily in the health-care field. For the FY ended 12/31/00, revenues rose 8% to $6.90B. Net income from cont.ops. before acct. change fell 5% to $738M. Revenues reflect growth in the company%s I.V. Systems/Medical products and Renal segments. Net income was partially offset by the addition of in-process R&D and acquisition costs.

March 1, 2001

Baxter International (BAX) has more to offer than meets the casual eye. Currently, the company is trying to become a biotech powerhouse. BAX plans on accomplishing this ambitious effort through peeling off its slow growing businesses and investing heavily in R&D. So far, the gamble is paying off. The company’s bioscience sales have more than tripled over the last few years to $2.5 billion. We also like the stock because the company's Board of Directors announced a 2:1 split of the stock, subject to a shareholder approved increase in the number of common shares the company is authorized to issue. Assuming the approval is received, the record date will be on May 9th 2001. On Thursday, BAX added $0.52 and came within $0.55 of hitting a new all time high. Looking at chart, we can’t help but notice the excellent set-up for a momentum breakout. However, we’ll look for resistance to come at the all time high of $93.16 and then at the $95 mark. Support comes in at the $91 mark, bolstered by the 5-dma of $91.10. Traders considering a position in BAX should look to time their entries when the stock breaches above resistance or recoils from support on strong volume of 900,000 shares traded by noon. We will set our stop at $89 to limit our downside risk.

Picked on March 1st @ $92.61
Change since picked 0.00
Stop Loss @ $89.00