Lower costs and expenses aid in a jump in 3Q17 earnings of Baxter. The company posted net income of $251MM or $0.45 per share, on sales of $2.71Bil. Global sales for Hospital Products grew 7% on continued strength in U.S. fluid systems business as well as favorable demand for injectable pharmaceuticals. Sales also benefited from increased sales of anesthesia and critical care products as well as hospital pharmacy compounding services. Operationally, Renal sales increased 6% driven by improved performance across all major product lines and therapies globally. For 4Q17, Baxter expects sales growth of 4-5% and EPS before special items of $0.56-0.59. For 2017, Baxter now expects sales growth of 4% and EPS before special items of $2.40-2.43. The stock opened lower but changed course to the green territory. Graphics of the earnings - http://alphastreet.com/bde66b0e
