Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in ISRG usually suggests something big is about to happen.We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 8 extraordinary options activities for ...

We recently compiled a list of the 20 Most Profitable Stocks of the Last 20 Years. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is one of the most profitable stocks on our list. TheFly reported on January 23 that Evercore ISI analyst Vijay Kumar lowered the price target on ISRG to $550 from $580 while maintaining an In Line rating. The analyst said the company’s performance was largely in line with expectations, with notable beats in both revenue and EPS driven by strong system placements and procedure growth. In contrast, ...

Polen Capital Management Llc released its "Polen Focus Growth Strategy" Q4 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In Q4 2025, the Polen Focus Growth strategy delivered a -1.37% gross return, underperforming the Russell 1000 Growth Index (+1.12%) and the S&P 500 (+2.66%), as concentrated mega‑cap leadership and AI valuation concerns drove market volatility. The fund faced headwinds from market rotation and valuation pressures but remained disciplined in its investment approach, fo ...

Key Takeaways ISRG won FDA 510(k) clearance for the da Vinci 5 system in valve repair and IMA mobilization.ISRG formed a cardiac-focused team to build training, evidence and cardiac-specific instruments.ISRG plans limited U.S. centers through 2026 to establish initial da Vinci 5 cardiac programs.Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) recently announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for the da Vinci 5 system to be used in certain cardiac procedures, including mitral valve repair and internal mammary artery (I ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the advancements and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of robotic surgery, particularly focusing on Intuitive Surgical and its da Vinci surgical robots [1][6]. Company Overview - Intuitive Surgical manufactures the da Vinci surgical robot, with over 11,106 systems installed globally by the end of 2025, representing a 12% increase from the end of 2024 [2]. - The number of surgeries performed using da Vinci robots increased by 18% year over year, indicating strong demand for robotic-assisted surgery [2]. AI Integration - The FDA approved an AI-based enhancement to Intuitive Surgical's Ion endoluminal system at the end of 2025, which aids surgeons in making real-time decisions during surgery [3]. - The integration of AI is seen as the beginning of a revolution in robotic surgery, with Intuitive Surgical's extensive database of surgeries providing a valuable resource for AI learning [4]. Future Prospects - The potential future of AI in surgery includes AI systems performing surgeries autonomously, utilizing the extensive database to tailor procedures to individual patients [5]. - This advancement could enable high-quality surgical care to be accessible globally at any time [5]. Data Utilization - Intuitive Surgical has several options for utilizing its surgical data, including retaining it for exclusive use, selling it to advance AI surgery, or being acquired by a technology company interested in the data [7].

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci 5 surgical robot has received FDA approval for specific cardiac surgeries, marking a significant milestone in the field of surgical robotics [3]. Group 1: Product Approval and Market Impact - The da Vinci 5 system is now approved for mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass grafting, expanding its application in cardiac surgery for the first time [3]. - Over 140,000 cardiac surgeries have been performed globally using da Vinci robots, showcasing the system's established presence in the market [3]. - The company anticipates creating 160,000 surgical opportunities annually with the new cardiac applications, indicating a substantial market potential [5]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The da Vinci 5 system boasts a computational power increase of 10,000 times compared to previous models, enhancing surgical precision [3]. - The use of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery can reduce patient trauma by allowing surgeries to be performed through small incisions without opening the sternum [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Intuitive Surgical's early entry into cardiac surgery with the da Vinci 5 may provide a competitive advantage over other medical giants, which have not yet ventured into this area [6]. - Competitors like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson are developing surgical robots, but their current systems are limited to other surgical fields, such as urology and general surgery [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The global volume of da Vinci robotic surgeries is projected to grow by 13% to 15% by 2026, reflecting a positive trend in the adoption of robotic surgery [5]. - High-profile endorsements, such as from Elon Musk, suggest a growing confidence in robotic surgery's potential to surpass human capabilities in the near future [5].

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci 5 surgical robot has received FDA approval for specific heart surgeries, marking the first time the da Vinci system is officially approved for cardiac procedures [1][3] - The da Vinci robot has been used in over 140,000 heart surgeries globally, with its computational power increased by 10,000 times [1][3] - The approval expands the indications to include mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass grafting, which are significant advancements in the field of robotic surgery [1][3] Industry Overview - Approximately 18 million people die from cardiovascular diseases annually, with over 2 million patients undergoing open-heart surgery, most requiring sternotomy [3] - Robotic-assisted minimally invasive heart surgery reduces patient trauma by allowing procedures through small incisions without opening the sternum [3] - The approval of the new indications is considered a milestone in the robotic surgery field [3] Market Potential - Intuitive plans a "controlled rollout" of the da Vinci 5 system, initially in the U.S. and South Korea, with an estimated potential of 160,000 surgical opportunities annually [3] - The global volume of da Vinci robot surgeries is expected to grow by 13% to 15% by 2026 [3] Competitive Landscape - Other medical giants are developing surgical robot systems but have not yet entered the cardiac surgery market, such as Medtronic's Hugo system and Johnson & Johnson's Ottava system, which are focused on urology and general surgery, respectively [4] - Truist Securities notes that the approval of da Vinci 5 for cardiac surgery may enhance Intuitive's competitive advantage in the market [4] Expert Opinions - Elon Musk predicts that within three years, robots will surpass human surgical skills, and within five years, they will outperform even top human surgeons [4] - Some experts believe that while robotic surgery has matured in fields like abdominal surgery, its value in cardiac surgery is still limited and requires further clinical validation [4]

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical's (ISRG) business in China is facing challenges due to geopolitical factors and industrial policies affecting capital purchasing decisions [2] - The company reported a slight decline in placements, with only 13 da Vinci systems installed in China during Q3 2025, indicating a constrained and competitive market [3][8] - Despite these challenges, ISRG maintains competitive advantages through global scale, utilization-driven economics, and a strong installed base [4] Company-Specific Developments - ISRG's management acknowledged slow tender processes and a preference for local vendors, which is creating pricing pressure on both capital systems and instruments and accessories [2][3][8] - The company is leveraging refurbished Xi systems and emphasizing per-procedure value to lower entry barriers and sustain customer ROI [4][8] Industry Context - Other U.S.-based robotic surgery device-makers, such as Stryker and Globus Medical, are also experiencing increased competition from local players in China [5] - Stryker is focusing on expanding its Mako SmartRobotics system in Asia, while facing intense price competition in the maturing orthopedic-robot market [6] - Globus Medical is accelerating its internationalization efforts and emphasizing technology depth to compete, but is also encountering pricing pressure from rapidly scaling local suppliers [7]

FDA 510(k) clearance expands da Vinci 5 indications to include certain cardiac proceduresSUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG), a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the da Vinci 5 system for certain cardiac procedures, including mitral valve repair and IMA (internal mammary artery) mobilization for cardiac revascularization. Cardi ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Boston Scientific (BSX) in the large-cap category, while Insulet (PODD) is highlighted as a top pick among small to mid-cap companies [15][17][18]. Core Insights - The healthcare sector is projected to experience revenue growth of approximately 6% in 2026, driven by healthy volumes and demographic trends [15]. - The report indicates that the MedTech sector is currently facing challenges with muted new money interest, as investor focus has shifted towards technology and AI stocks [11]. - Despite some negative pre-announcements from companies, there are positive indicators from firms like ISRG and BSX, suggesting a cautiously optimistic outlook for the sector [9][10]. Summary by Sections Healthcare Sector Snapshot - Healthcare stocks in the S&P 500 have shown a slight increase of 0.5% year-to-date, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's 1.4% [7]. - Key performers within the healthcare sector include Labs (+8.6%), CROs (+6.3%), and Lifescience Tools (+5.2%), while Biotech (-0.7%) and Large Pharma (-1.8%) lag behind [7]. Key Takeaways from the Conference - The conference revealed a mix of pre-announcements, with ISRG and DXCM performing better than expected, while ATEC and ENOV faced challenges [9]. - There is a notable interest in surgical robotics and diabetes management, with companies like MDT and BSX leading in these areas [12]. Sector Outlook for 2026 - The report forecasts EPS growth of around 7% for 2026, emphasizing the importance of high-quality companies with strong earnings visibility [15]. - The anticipated growth in the MedTech sector is supported by ongoing innovation and favorable demographic trends, despite potential budget constraints in healthcare [15]. Top Picks - The report identifies ISRG and BSX as top large-cap picks, citing their strong growth potential and innovative product pipelines [15][17]. - Among small to mid-cap companies, Insulet (PODD) is highlighted for its robust sales growth and market position in diabetes management [18].