Boston Scientific Gains 42.2% in a Year: What's Driving the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - Boston Scientific (BSX) has demonstrated strong performance with a 42.4% increase in share price over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 8.5% and the S&P 500's 10.6% increase, indicating solid fundamentals and growth opportunities for investors [1] Company Overview - Boston Scientific manufactures medical devices and products for various interventional medical specialties globally, having reorganized its operational structure into two reportable segments: MedSurg and Cardiovascular [2][3] Segment Performance - The Cardiovascular segment includes the Cardiology division and Peripheral Interventions, while the MedSurg group consists of Endoscopy, Urology, and Neuromodulation [3] Growth Drivers - The upward trend in BSX's share price is driven by the strong performance of the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure device, with the next-generation WATCHMAN FLX and FLX Pro capturing significant market share [4] - The launch of the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System and commercial excellence across various businesses are also contributing to share price growth, supported by a solid fourth-quarter performance and increasing revenues from both reportable segments [5] Strategic Acquisitions - Investors are optimistic about BSX's strategic acquisitions in 2024, including Axonics, Inc., Intera Oncology Inc., and Cortex, Inc., which are expected to bolster the company's market position [6][7] International Expansion - Boston Scientific's international expansion remains strong, with emerging markets showing robust growth despite geopolitical challenges, and the launch of the next-generation accurate Prime Valve in Europe [8] - The FARAPULSE uptake in the EMEA region and strong growth in the Asia Pacific, particularly in China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, contributed to revenue increases of 10.8% in EMEA and 11.1% in Asia Pacific during the fourth quarter [9] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter of 2024, BSX reported a 27.9% rise in the cost of products sold, leading to a 138-basis points contraction in gross margin due to macroeconomic headwinds and supply chain disruptions [10] - The company is also exposed to currency fluctuations, with expectations of a 100-basis point headwind from foreign exchange on revenues for 2025 [11] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BSX's 2025 EPS has increased by 0.7% to $2.85, with an earnings yield of 2.9%, outperforming the industry's 1.2% [12]