Two fields in particular draw attention when we look at Abbott. The company’s FreeStyle Libre product is a leader in the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market, a vital technology in controlling and managing diabetes. Abbott’s product boasts that it is the leading CGM brand in the US. Abbott’s cardiovascular products include devices to manage such conditions as heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and mitral regurgitation.The first company we’ll look at, Abbott Laboratories, was founded in 1888 – and has ...

My name is Myriam Hernandez Alvarez. I received the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering degree from the Escuela Politecnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador, the M.Sc. degree in computer science from Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA, a graduate degree in Business Management from Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, Quito, Ecuador, and the Ph.D. degree in computer applications from the University of Alicante, Spain.Disclosure: I collaborate professionally with Edgar Torres H, who is also an author on Seeking ...

In March 2025, Alcon agreed to acquire the laser solutions company for $14.00 per share for an aggregate implied value of approximately $356 million.Alcon Terminates LENSAR MergerAlcon announced that it has agreed to terminate the merger agreement with LENSAR due to prolonged regulatory reviews that rendered the transaction unattractive.The CEO of Alcon, David Endicott, emphasized that the acquisition would have significantly enhanced innovation in cataract surgery but cited the Federal Trade Commission’s o ...

Core Viewpoint - Lensar has terminated its planned acquisition by Alcon due to unresolved regulatory concerns, primarily from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Alcon had agreed to acquire Lensar for an implied value of approximately $356 million in March 2025 [1][2]. - The acquisition was intended to enhance Alcon's femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) portfolio with Lensar's technologies, including the Ally robotic cataract laser treatment system [2][5]. - The deal was pending for nearly one year, with initial expectations for a mid-to-late 2025 closing [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Concerns - The FTC indicated its intention to oppose the transaction, leading both companies to conclude that terminating the merger was in their best interests [1][3]. - The deadline for completing the acquisition was set for April 23, 2026, with a possible extension to July 23, 2026 [3]. Group 3: Company Statements and Future Outlook - Lensar's president and CEO expressed disappointment over the outcome but reaffirmed the company's commitment to advancing cataract surgery through the growth of the ALLY robotic cataract laser system [4]. - Since its commercial introduction in 2022, the ALLY system has been recognized as a significant advancement in refractive cataract surgery, contributing to market share gains and procedure growth for Lensar [5].

This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Alcon and LENSAR agreed to call off their merger, Alcon said Monday. Alcon CEO David Endicott said the delay and costs associated with a Federal Trade Commission review made the transaction unattractive to pursue further.  In a Tuesday statement, the Federal Trade Commission said the merger would have combined the two most significant players in the mar ...

Alcon and LENSAR, Inc. Agree to Terminate Merger Agreement Mar 16, 2026 4:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time Alcon and LENSAR, Inc. Agree to Terminate Merger Agreement Share GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with LENSAR, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNSR) to terminate the companies' previously announced merger agreement. "Alcon continues to believe that the acquisition of LENSAR would hav ...

Industry Overview - The U.S. medical instrument industry has stabilized entering 2026 after years of volatility due to inflation, rising interest rates, and uneven hospital spending, with procedure volumes normalizing post-pandemic [1] - Providers are cautious on capital budgets, focusing on productivity, reliability, and total cost of ownership [1] - The Medical - Instruments industry is ranked in the top 35% of the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating expected outperformance over the next three to six months [2] Company Highlights Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG) - ISRG is integrating AI and digital tools into its robotic ecosystem, enhancing surgical performance metrics and providing real-time decision support [4][5] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 14.9% and earnings growth rate of 12.7% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings improving by 0.5% [6] - The short-term average price target indicates a potential increase of 26% from the last closing price of $493.56, with a maximum upside of 52% [8] Globus Medical Inc. (GMED) - GMED's acquisition of Nevro and the merger with NuVasive are expected to strengthen its position in the musculoskeletal space and expand its product portfolio [9][10] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 8% and earnings growth of 7.5% for the current year, with earnings estimates improving by 6.7% [10] - The short-term average price target suggests a 24.7% increase from the last closing price of $87.81, with a maximum upside of 40.1% [11] Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (EW) - EW's Surgical Structural Heart business is benefiting from strong adoption of premium surgical technologies, with a focus on developing a comprehensive structural heart disease portfolio [12][13] - The expected revenue growth rate is 9.6% and earnings growth rate is 14.8% for the current year, with earnings estimates improving by 2.1% [14] - The short-term average price target indicates a 14% increase from the last closing price of $84.26, with a maximum upside of 30.5% [14] Alcon Inc. (ALC) - ALC is leveraging its Surgical and Vision Care segments for growth, with innovative products driving category leadership [15][16] - The expected revenue growth rate is 7.1% and earnings growth rate is 12.1% for the current year, with earnings estimates improving by 2.1% [16] - The short-term average price target suggests a 13.9% increase from the last closing price of $81.85, with a maximum upside of 36.8% [17] IRADIMED Corp. (IRMD) - IRMD specializes in MRI-compatible products and serves hospitals and outpatient imaging centers [18][19] - The expected revenue growth rate is 10.8% and earnings growth rate is 8.8% for the current year, with earnings estimates remaining stable [20] - The short-term average price target indicates a 19.9% increase from the last closing price of $100.18, with a maximum upside of 20% [20]

Summary of the Conference Call Transcript Industry Overview - **Industry**: Pharmaceuticals - **Context**: The pharmaceutical sector is being upgraded to overweight as a diversifier amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East. Traditional hedges like bonds have failed to provide diversification, leading investors to seek alternatives such as gold, defense stocks, and now pharmaceuticals [2][14]. Core Points and Arguments 1. **Performance of Pharmaceuticals**: - The global pharma sector has performed in line with the market since February 27, 2026, but historically, it has outperformed during oil supply-side shocks, with an average outperformance of 8% in the following three months [3][19]. - The sector is currently discounting a PMI of 52, indicating it is positioned defensively against economic downturns [4][34]. 2. **Economic Indicators**: - A 10% rise in oil prices is estimated to reduce global GDP by 0.2%, while a similar rise in European retail gas prices could reduce GDP by 0.1% [4][39]. - The IMF and UBS forecasts suggest that if GDP growth falls below 1.5%, pharmaceuticals are likely to outperform [4][38]. 3. **Financial Health**: - The pharmaceutical sector has low leverage, making it resilient during periods of rising credit spreads. High yield spreads are expected to rise from 2.9% to 3.25% [5][44]. - The sector is currently undervalued, trading at a P/E ratio on par with the market, which is below its historical norm of a 13% premium [6][60]. 4. **Technological Advancements**: - The integration of Gen AI and quantum computing is expected to enhance R&D productivity and accelerate drug discovery, particularly for chronic diseases [6][50][51]. - Gen AI could potentially halve the cost and time required to bring a drug to market, improving the overall efficiency of pharmaceutical companies [51]. 5. **Market Positioning**: - Pharmaceuticals are currently under-owned, ranking as the seventh most shorted sector globally [6][55]. - The top recommended stocks include Roche, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Merck, which are considered undervalued with positive earnings revisions [6][62]. Additional Important Insights - **Healthcare Equipment**: The healthcare equipment sector is also recommended for overweight positioning, scoring high on the global scorecard [7][63]. - **Funding Strategy**: To fund the overweight in pharmaceuticals, a reduction in bank holdings is suggested, particularly in the US, due to concerns over credit spreads and macroeconomic indicators [8][76]. - **Consumer Plays**: In a scenario where the Middle East conflict resolves quickly, there is a favorable outlook for European consumer plays, with a small overweight in European banks maintained [9][76]. Conclusion The pharmaceutical sector is positioned as a strong defensive play amid current geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. With low leverage, potential for technological advancements, and favorable market conditions, it presents a compelling investment opportunity.

Core Viewpoint - Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) has partnered with Alcon to enhance glaucoma education for Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. by releasing updated English and Spanish editions of the "Understanding and Living with Glaucoma" booklet and the first-ever Spanish audiobook [1][2][4] Group 1: Educational Resources - The "Understanding and Living with Glaucoma" booklet and audiobook serve as essential educational tools for patients and caregivers to understand glaucoma, treatment options, and the importance of ongoing care [2] - The new Spanish audiobook aims to remove barriers to understanding and provide accessible education for Spanish-speaking patients and families [3] Group 2: Partnership and Commitment - Alcon's support for the Spanish-language resources aligns with its mission to improve patient understanding and advance eye care [4] - The updated resources will be distributed to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and community organizations worldwide at the end of March, coinciding with World Glaucoma Week starting March 9 [4]

Group 1: AIG Financial Performance - AIG reported $670 million in general insurance underwriting income for 4Q25, a 48% increase from the prior year [1] - The company achieved a non-GAAP adjusted after-tax income per diluted share of $1.96, reflecting a 51% year-over-year gain and exceeding forecasts by $0.06 [1] - AIG's net premiums written were $23.9 billion in 2024 and $23.8 billion in 2025 [4] Group 2: Dividend and Capital Return - AIG declared a regular dividend of $0.45 per common share, with an annualized dividend of $1.80, yielding 2.25% [2] - In the previous year, AIG returned $6.8 billion to shareholders through $5.8 billion in share repurchases and $1 billion in dividends [2] Group 3: Business Segments and Products - AIG offers a range of insurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, and financial, life, and liability coverage [3] - The company operates in over 200 countries and has three main segments: North American Commercial, International Commercial, and Global Personal [4] Group 4: Analyst Insights and Market Position - Goldman Sachs analyst Robert Cox views AIG as having peer-high earnings growth and improving return on equity (ROE), supported by a strong underwriting position and capital flexibility [8] - AIG's valuation at 1.1x price-to-book (P/B) and 10.4x price-to-earnings (P/E) is considered attractive relative to its ROE trajectory [8] - The stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 17 reviews, with a current trading price of $80.07 and an average target price of $87, indicating a potential 9% gain [8]