Down 18%, Should You Buy the Dip on Intuitive Surgical Stock?

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical has been a leader in minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, achieving a remarkable stock return of 24,632% since its IPO in 2003 [1][2] - Recent global economic concerns and a mixed outlook have led to an 18% decline in shares from their all-time high in January [2] - The da Vinci system has seen significant growth, with nearly 2.7 million procedures performed in 2024, doubling the volume from five years ago [2] Company Developments - The new da Vinci 5 system, approved by the FDA, features over 150 design advancements and 10,000 times more computing power than the previous model, expected to drive future sales growth [3] - The company anticipates a 13% to 16% increase in da Vinci procedure volume for 2025, a slight slowdown from the previous year's 17% growth [4] - Earnings per share (EPS) is projected to grow by 9.6% in 2025, down from 28.5% last year, but analysts expect a rebound to 17.5% growth in 2026 [5][6] Financial Metrics - Revenue growth estimates are 17.2% for 2024, 14.9% for 2025, and 15.6% for 2026 [7] - EPS is projected at $7.34 for 2024,$8.06 for 2025, and $9.47 for 2026 [7] Competitive Landscape - The competitive environment is evolving, with new entrants like Medtronic's Hugo system and Johnson & Johnson's Ottava robot potentially impacting Intuitive's market share [9][10] - CFO Jamie Samath acknowledged that increased competition could lead to longer selling cycles for Intuitive's products [11] Valuation Concerns - Intuitive Surgical's stock is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 63, slightly above its decade average of 62, raising concerns about potential downside if growth expectations are not met [12] - The company is viewed as a leader in healthcare technology, but current stock valuations may deter aggressive investment [13]