Merit Medical Stock Gains Following Solid Preliminary Q4 Revenues

Merit Medical's Strategic Acquisitions and Market Position - The acquisition of Cook Medical's lead management portfolio is expected to enhance Merit Medical's position in the cardiac intervention market, particularly in Europe, with an estimated annual addressable opportunity of over $900 million across multiple regions [1] - The addition of the lead management business is anticipated to contribute more than$100 million in combined annualized CRM/EP revenues starting in 2025, strengthening the company's global cardiac intervention market presence [1] - The acquisition is also expected to boost Merit Medical's fast-growing, high-margin cardiac rhythm management/electrophysiology (CRM/EP) business [7] Merit Medical's Financial Performance and Guidance - Preliminary full-year 2024 revenues are estimated to be between $1.355 billion and$1.357 billion, representing a 7.7-7.9% increase from 2023 [4] - At constant currency, full-year 2024 revenues are projected to grow by 8.4-8.6% compared to 2023 [5] - The company plans to issue its full-year 2025 guidance alongside its fourth-quarter 2024 results announcement [6] Merit Medical's U.S. Market Strategy and WRAPSODY Program - The company is focused on entering the U.S. market following premarket approval, with a comprehensive U.S. commercial strategy in development [12] - Positive six-month findings from the WRAPSODY WAVE pivotal trial and progress in U.S. regulatory and reimbursement strategies highlight the potential of the WRAPSODY program [8] Merit Medical's Stock Performance and Industry Comparison - Shares of Merit Medical lost 0.9% between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, underperforming the industry's 0.8% rise and the S&P 500's 3.7% gain [2] - Despite the short-term underperformance, the company's Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) reflects positive sentiment [9] Industry Peers and Their Performance - Cencora (COR) has an estimated long-term growth rate of 10.4% and gained 0.2% between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, outperforming the industry's 12.7% decline [3] - Labcorp (LH) has an estimated long-term growth rate of 8.4% and saw its shares rally 4.6% compared to the industry's 0.8% growth during the same period [3][10] - Cardinal Health (CAH) has an estimated long-term growth rate of 10.5% and gained 7.2% compared to the industry's 0.8% growth between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024 [13]