Franklin Street Advisors disclosed an exit from Intuitive Surgical (ISRG -0.92%) in its latest SEC filing for the quarter ended September 30, selling 42,601 shares for an estimated $23.2 million.What HappenedAccording to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission released on Thursday, Franklin Street Advisors sold its entire holding in Intuitive Surgical, divesting 42,601 shares. The estimated value of the transaction, calculated using the average market price during the quarter, was approximately ...

Market Overview - The global surgical robotics market was valued at approximately $4.31 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $9.6 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 9.3% [2] - North America holds about 39.6% of the worldwide market share in 2025 [2] Company Insights: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) - Intuitive Surgical maintains nearly 60% of the global market share, supported by a strong recurring revenue stream from its installed base [3] - The da Vinci Surgical System has evolved through five generations, integrating AI and advanced technologies, enhancing surgical precision and expanding its applicability [4] - The latest model, da Vinci 5, has seen 180 placements by mid-2025, with nearly 700 systems installed globally [5] - Recurring revenues from instruments and digital services account for 85% of total revenues, with per-procedure spend remaining steady at nearly $1,800 [6] - The Ion endoluminal platform is emerging as a growth driver, with over 900 systems installed and a 50% year-over-year increase in procedures [7] - Intuitive Surgical has raised its 2025 growth outlook to 15.5-17% due to rising adoption of da Vinci 5 and Ion's penetration [8] Company Insights: Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) - Zimmer Biomet is focusing on its expanding knee portfolio and innovation strategy to strengthen its position in the musculoskeletal market [9] - The company's ROSA Robotic Platform and cementless knees are driving steady growth, with a 150 basis point improvement in sequential growth in 2025 [10] - The Persona Revision Knee has surpassed 100 accounts in Europe, with expectations for accelerated momentum [11] - Zimmer Biomet's strategic plan includes investing in leadership, operational excellence, and innovation, supported by acquisitions [12] - The company has shown steady gains with 1.8% growth in knees, 4.0% in hips, and 4.9% in S.E.T during the second quarter [13] Price Performance and Valuation - Shares of Intuitive Surgical have declined 15.5% year-to-date, while Zimmer Biomet's stock is down 12.9% [14] - Intuitive Surgical's valuation has declined but still trades above the industry average, while Zimmer Biomet trades at a significant discount [18] - Zimmer Biomet currently carries a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), while Intuitive Surgical has a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating a better investment opportunity in Zimmer Biomet [24] Conclusion - Both companies are positioned to benefit from the rising demand for robotic surgery, particularly in the U.S. market [23] - Zimmer Biomet offers a more attractive valuation compared to Intuitive Surgical, which is trading above its industry's valuation [23]

With a market cap of $158.1 billion, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) develops, manufactures, and markets innovative robotic-assisted surgical systems and related products that enable minimally invasive care. Its flagship offerings include the da Vinci Surgical System and the Ion endoluminal system, supported by a comprehensive portfolio of instruments, accessories, services, and digital solutions. The Sunnyvale, California-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q3 2025 results on Thursday, Oct. ...

Revenue & Growth Trends Key Takeaways As robotic-assisted surgery continues its rising adoption in modern medicine, two industry leaders — Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Stryker (SYK) — are shaping the future of robotic-assisted surgery. Intuitive, renowned for its da Vinci Surgical System, continues to dominate the soft tissue surgery space. In contrast, Stryker has established a firm foothold in orthopedic procedures through its Mako robotic platform. Both companies are aggressively pursuing innovation and ...

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 earnings with sales estimated at $2.35 billion and earnings per share (EPS) at $1.92, driven by a projected 15-17% increase in da Vinci procedures in 2025 [2][8]. Financial Performance - ISRG delivered an earnings surprise of 5.85% in the last reported quarter, with an average surprise of 14.64% over the past four quarters [3][4]. - The company has stable EPS estimates of $7.84 for 2025 and $9.05 for 2026 [2]. Market Trends - The Instruments & Accessories segment is anticipated to show strong results due to robust da Vinci procedure growth, particularly in U.S. general surgery and cancer procedures outside the U.S. [6][7]. - Procedure growth in China has improved, primarily driven by urologic procedures, although tariff-related challenges may impact sales [9]. Product Adoption - Strong adoption of the newly launched da Vinci 5 surgical system is expected to contribute positively to the second-quarter results, with 147 systems placed in the first quarter [10]. - The Services segment is likely to reflect strong adoption of digital products and services, including Intuitive App and Intuitive Hub [11]. Valuation and Performance - ISRG shares have declined 0.7% year-to-date, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's gain of 6.5% but outperforming the Zacks Medical sector's decrease of 6.4% [13]. - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 60.92X, significantly higher than the industry average of 27.90X, indicating a premium valuation [16][17]. Future Outlook - Continued growth in da Vinci procedure volume and strong Ion procedure growth are expected to drive ISRG's performance for the remainder of 2025 [20]. - The launch of da Vinci SP in Europe and da Vinci 5 in the U.S. is anticipated to further enhance system placements [21]. - Rising trade tensions and tariff implications may introduce uncertainty, but the company's U.S. and Mexico manufacturing facilities should mitigate some risks [22].

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Medtronic (MDT) are competing in the robotic-assisted surgery market, with ISRG's da Vinci system being the industry leader and MDT's Hugo platform emerging as a challenger [1][2] Market Performance - Year-to-date, ISRG shares have increased by 5.8%, while MDT shares have risen by 1.7%, compared to a 0.2% increase in the S&P 500 Index [5] Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) - ISRG holds a dominant position in robotic-assisted surgery with nearly 10,000 da Vinci systems installed globally, reflecting its technological advantage and integration in hospitals [6] - The company benefits from robust recurring revenues from instrument and accessory sales, which scale with increased surgical procedures [7] - ISRG is focusing on AI integration, real-time analytics, and next-generation robotics to enhance its platform, supported by recent FDA approvals in urology and gynecology [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISRG's fiscal 2025 sales and EPS indicates a year-over-year improvement of 15.6% and 7.1%, respectively [9] Medtronic (MDT) - MDT has a diversified product portfolio and is focusing on its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery platform to compete with ISRG, although it faces regulatory hurdles and limited market penetration [11] - The company maintains solid revenue from legacy businesses and is implementing cost-saving initiatives to improve margins [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MDT's 2025 sales and EPS suggests a year-over-year improvement of 8.6% and 10.4%, respectively [14] Competitive Landscape - ISRG commands nearly 80% market share in robotic surgery, with sustainable revenue growth of 19% and a strong portfolio [16] - MDT's Hugo platform has shown early adoption potential but is still under limited commercial release, with full FDA approval expected next year [16] - The robotic-surgery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% through 2029, favoring ISRG's continued growth [16]

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive has received FDA clearance for the da Vinci Single Port (SP) surgical system for transanal local excision/resection, enhancing its capabilities in colorectal surgery and offering a minimally invasive option for patients [1][4]. Company Overview - Intuitive is a global leader in minimally invasive care and robotic-assisted surgery, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California [8]. - The company has developed robotic-assisted technology for 30 years, with nearly 17 million procedures performed using its systems and approximately 90,000 surgeons trained [7]. Product Details - The da Vinci SP system is designed for precise navigation in narrow body cavities, allowing surgeons to control multiple instruments and a high-definition camera through a single entry point [2]. - This system addresses challenges in laparoscopic transanal minimally invasive surgery, improving ergonomics and access to lesions [3]. Clinical Impact - The FDA clearance for the da Vinci SP system is expected to positively impact patient outcomes by enabling better preservation of healthy tissue and accelerating recovery [4]. - The system supports a range of colorectal interventions, complementing Intuitive's existing offerings like da Vinci 5 and da Vinci Xi [5]. Evidence and Approval - Over 500 peer-reviewed publications support the safety and efficacy of the da Vinci SP system, which is also cleared for various procedures in urology and other surgical disciplines [6].

Core Insights - Robotic-assisted surgery is becoming essential in modern healthcare, with Intuitive Surgical and Stryker leading the market [1][2] - Both companies are heavily investing in innovation and global expansion, making them attractive for investors [2] Market Position and Differentiation - Intuitive Surgical pioneered robotic surgery with the da Vinci platform, while Stryker entered the market through the acquisition of Mako Surgical [3] - Intuitive holds nearly 80% of global surgical robotics volume, contrasting with Stryker's focus on orthopedic robotics with over 1.5 million Mako procedures [4] Revenue & Growth Trends - Intuitive's Q1 2025 revenues increased by 19% to $2.25 billion, with da Vinci procedures growing by 17% [5] - Stryker's MedSurg/Neurotechnology sales rose by 10.6% to $3.89 billion in Q4 2024, while Orthopaedics climbed by 10.8% to $2.55 billion [5] - The global robotic surgery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% through 2029, driven by minimally invasive trends and aging populations [6] Estimates Comparison for ISRG & SYK - Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISRG's fiscal 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year improvement of 15.6% and 7.1% respectively [7] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stryker's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year improvement of 8.6% and 10.4% respectively [10] Innovation Driving Growth - Intuitive Surgical is investing in next-generation platforms like the Ion endoluminal system for robotic bronchoscopy [12] - Stryker is enhancing its Mako SmartRobotics suite with AI-driven 3D CT planning and AccuStop haptic feedback [13] Price Performance & Valuation - Year-to-date price performance shows ISRG shares have lost 1.5%, while SYK shares have gained 1.8% [15] - Intuitive Surgical's dominance and sustainable revenue growth position it well, while Stryker's innovations fuel growth in the joint-replacement robotics niche [17] Zacks Rank & Style Score - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), complicating the investment decision [18] - ISRG's style score of 'F' indicates expensive valuation and low growth potential, while SYK's style score of 'C' suggests strong growth prospects [19]

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81, exceeding estimates by 5.9% and showing a year-over-year improvement of 20.7% [1] - Revenue for the quarter reached $2.25 billion, reflecting a 19.2% year-over-year increase and surpassing estimates by 3.3% [2] Revenue Details - The revenue growth was driven by an increase in installed systems and a rise in da Vinci procedure volume [2] - Revenue from the Instruments & Accessories segment was $1.37 billion, up 18% year over year, supported by a 17% increase in da Vinci procedure volume [3] - The Systems segment generated $523 million in revenue, a 25% increase year over year, due to higher system placements and average selling prices [4] - Service revenues amounted to $363 million, reflecting a 15.8% increase from the previous year [5] Margins and Expenses - Adjusted gross profit was $1.5 billion, a 17% year-over-year increase, with a gross margin of 66.4%, down 120 basis points from the prior year [6] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose to $563.4 million, up 14.6% year over year, while research and development expenses increased to $316.2 million, up 11.1% [6] Financial Position - The company ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaling $9.1 billion, an increase from $8.83 billion in the previous quarter [8] - Total assets rose to $19.22 billion from $18.74 billion a year ago [8] Future Outlook - Intuitive Surgical expects gross margin to face a 170 basis points headwind in 2025 due to newly implemented global tariffs, particularly affecting components imported from China [11] - The company has lowered its pro forma gross margin guidance for the year to 65-66.5% from 67-68% [12] - Continued growth in da Vinci procedures and the launch of the da Vinci 5 system are anticipated to drive future revenues, although challenges in certain markets may slow adoption [14][16]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $2.25 billion, a 19% increase year over year, with constant currency growth at 20% [29][30] - Pro forma gross margin for Q1 was 66.4%, down from 67.6% in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher facility costs and a mix of newer products [34] - Pro forma net income for Q1 was $662 million, or $1.81 per share, compared to $541 million, or $1.50 per share, in the prior year [37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Da Vinci procedure growth was 17% in Q1, with significant strength in general surgery in the US and notable performance in India and Korea [9][26] - Capital placements included 367 da Vinci systems, a 17% increase from the previous year, with 147 being da Vinci V systems [10][27] - ION procedures grew 58% to approximately 31,000 in the quarter, with 49 ION systems placed [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - US procedures grew 13%, driven by benign general surgery, while OUS procedures grew 24%, led by India and Korea [26][78] - Procedure growth in China improved from the prior quarter, primarily driven by urologic procedures [26] - The installed base of da Vinci systems grew 15% year over year [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to assure product supply globally and optimize production costs amid dynamic trade policies [7][8] - Focus on the full launch of da Vinci V and increasing adoption of focused procedures through training and market access efforts [19][20] - Commitment to building industrial scale, product quality, and manufacturing optimization [19] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in procedure growth, raising the full-year 2025 procedure growth forecast to 15% to 17% [39] - The impact of tariffs is expected to add approximately 1.7% to cost of sales, with a potential increase in impact as the year progresses [24][41] - Management remains cautious about the capital environment, noting potential constraints in key OUS markets due to government budget limitations [48][80] Other Important Information - The company opened new manufacturing facilities in California to expand its US manufacturing and R&D footprint [35] - The average selling price for da Vinci systems increased to $1.62 million, driven by a higher mix of da Vinci V placements [31] - The company is focused on enhancing its digital tools and computational capabilities to support surgical performance [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on financials - Management indicated that approximately half of the tariff impact is related to US-China trade, with the remainder from imports into the US from other countries [45] Question: Capital environment and customer response - Management noted strong customer response to da Vinci V in the US, with leasing arrangements providing flexibility amid capital constraints [48] Question: OUS growth drivers - Management highlighted strong growth in early-stage markets like India and Taiwan, with ongoing efforts to engage key opinion leaders and surgical societies [80]