The Zacks Analyst Blog Boston Scientific, Abbott and Medtronic

Core Insights - Boston Scientific is currently viewed as a buy due to growth factors despite a recent cooling-off period after a strong 2024 performance where the stock rose by 54.5% [2][21] - The Federal Reserve's cautious stance on interest rates and economic conditions has contributed to market uncertainty, with a warning of a potential stagflationary environment [3][6] - Global trade tensions pose significant risks for Boston Scientific, particularly due to its substantial operations in China and Europe [4][9] Financial Performance - Boston Scientific's stock has outperformed the Zacks Medical Products industry's 4.4% decline and the S&P 500's 4.8% dip in March [5] - The company expects organic revenue growth of 14% to 16% in Q1 2025 and 10% to 12% for the full year, with projected adjusted EPS between $2.80 and $2.87, indicating a growth of 12% to 14% over 2024 [15][16] - The trailing 12-month return on equity for Boston Scientific is 17.8%, surpassing the industry average of 17.3% [19] Market Position and Strategy - Boston Scientific is gaining market share in its MedSurg segment, particularly in endoluminal surgery and single-use imaging franchises [11] - The company is expanding its market share globally in Urology, with strong growth in its Stone management and prosthetic urology franchises [13] - Strategic initiatives include a $150 million investment to expand operations in China and establishing a manufacturing site in Shanghai [8][9] Outlook and Estimates - Analysts have increased the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 EPS following 11 upward estimate revisions, indicating a 2.9% growth from the previous year [18] - The average target price for Boston Scientific is $118.57, reflecting a potential upside of 17.8% from its last closing price of $100.69 [20][23] - Despite macroeconomic headwinds, the company remains confident in sustaining differentiated financial performance throughout 2025 [16][22]