Core Insights - Boston Scientific (BSX) reported strong fourth-quarter results for 2025, exceeding both revenue and earnings guidance, with over $20 billion in sales and 12.7% organic revenue growth [1][8] - The company faced challenges in Urology due to supply-chain issues and competitive pressures in Electrophysiology, leading to a 17.6% drop in stock price post-earnings announcement [2][3] Financial Performance - Boston Scientific achieved mid-teens growth for the second consecutive year, attributed to innovation and execution across business units [1] - The company expects organic growth of 10%-11% for 2026, despite near-term challenges [9][12] Segment Highlights - WATCHMAN business grew 29% year-over-year in Q4, supported by strong adoption in U.S. procedures and a strategic partnership with Siemens Healthineers [4] - Neuromodulation sales increased by 10% in Q4, with a full-year organic growth of 8%, bolstered by new product offerings and expanded reimbursement coverage [5] - APAC region sales surged 15% operationally in Q4, driven by strong performances in Japan and China [6] Market Position and Challenges - Boston Scientific holds approximately 65% market share in the PFA market, with expectations to exceed the 15% market growth rate despite competitive pressures [10] - The company announced acquisitions of Valencia Technologies and Penumbra to enhance its urology and cardiovascular capabilities [11] Profitability Outlook - Adjusted gross margin is expected to remain stable, with operating margin projected to expand by 50-75 basis points, and adjusted EPS anticipated to grow by 12%-14% [12] - First-quarter 2026 revenue growth is guided at 8.5%-10%, facing challenges from product discontinuations [13] Valuation Metrics - Boston Scientific trades at a forward Price/Sales (P/S) ratio of 4.87, which is below its historical median but above the industry average of 2.67 [17] Conclusion - Despite recent stock performance challenges, Boston Scientific's strong fundamentals and growth potential in key segments suggest a prudent hold for investors, with an attractive valuation relative to competitors [18]

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) reported a second-quarter 2025 gross margin of 67.9%, down from 70% in the prior-year period, indicating structural shifts in operations and product mix [1][9] - The margin contraction is driven by the increasing contribution of newer, lower-margin platforms, particularly the da Vinci 5 and Ion systems, which have higher manufacturing and service costs [2][5] - Depreciation from recent capacity investments, including a new facility in Bulgaria, adds overhead costs, impacting short-term margins [3][9] - Tariff-related expenses reduced gross margin by approximately 60 basis points in Q2, with an expected annual drag of about 100 basis points [4][9] - Management anticipates long-term margin recovery through scale efficiencies and increased procedure volumes, despite near-term volatility [5][9] Peer Performance - Boston Scientific (BSX) reported an adjusted gross margin of 69.4%, down 100 basis points year over year, primarily due to inventory charges, but benefited from a favorable product mix [6] - Thermo Fisher (TMO) had an adjusted gross margin of 41.3%, down about 80 basis points, impacted by tariffs and foreign exchange, though productivity gains helped cushion the decline [7] Valuation and Estimates - ISRG shares have lost 5% year-to-date, compared to the industry's decline of 6.8% [8] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for ISRG is 56.6, above the industry average but lower than its five-year median of 72.4 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISRG's 2025 earnings implies an 11.3% rise from the previous year [12]