DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) today reported first quarter net income of $525 million, an increase of 2 percent from $516 million reported in the first quarter of 2009. Earnings per diluted share of $0.86 increased 4 percent from $0.83 per diluted share reported in the prior-year period. Baxter’s first quarter financial results included a one-time, non-cash special charge of $39 million (or $0.07 per diluted share) related to a change in the tax treatment of post-retirement prescription drug benefits under recent U.S. healthcare reform legislation.
