Core Insights - The article discusses the 12 best healthcare stocks to buy and hold for five years, highlighting the role of AI in improving healthcare services and addressing insurance denials [1][4]. Group 1: AI in Healthcare - Dr. Warris Bokhari's platform utilizes AI to appeal health insurance denials for approximately 70 autoimmune diseases, addressing a significant issue where 850 million denials occur annually in the U.S. [2][3]. - The platform was launched on October 2, 2024, and aims to assist patients in navigating care denials by generating appeal letters based on healthcare plans [4]. Group 2: Stock Selection Methodology - The selection of the top healthcare stocks was based on criteria including EPS growth of over 10% in the past five years, an expected EPS growth rate of at least 20% over the next five years, and a forward PE ratio greater than 20 [6]. - The final ranking of stocks was influenced by the number of hedge fund holders as tracked by the Insider Monkey database as of Q2 2025 [6][7]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)**: Pioneered robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery with its da Vinci systems, which are used globally. The company introduced advanced software features for its da Vinci 5 system in September 2025, enhancing surgical capabilities [9][10]. - **Doximity, Inc. (NYSE:DOCS)**: A leading healthcare technology stock that completed the acquisition of Pathway Medical, enhancing its AI-driven tools. The company reported a 15% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $145.9 million for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 [13][15]. - **Penumbra, Inc. (NYSE:PEN)**: A leader in thrombectomy and vascular intervention technologies, recently introduced the Ruby XL System and the Lightning Bolt 6X device, expanding its product offerings and market reach [16][18].

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) has experienced a decline in share price despite reporting better-than-expected financial results, primarily due to concerns over gross margin contraction and increased competition in the robotic surgery market [1][3][24]. Financial Performance - ISRG shares have lost 13.4% in the past three months, underperforming the industry and the S&P 500 Index, which rose by 0.1% and 10.4%, respectively [1]. - The company reported an adjusted gross profit of $1.66 billion, up 17.8% year over year, but the gross margin decreased to 67.9%, down approximately 200 basis points from the prior-year quarter [15]. - ISRG forecasts a gross margin contraction of 200-300 basis points for 2025, influenced by tariffs and product mix shifts [6][15]. Market Position and Growth Drivers - ISRG is a leader in the robotic-assisted surgery market, with its da Vinci systems dominating both the U.S. and global markets [8]. - The global surgical robots market is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 9.4% from 2025 to 2030, positioning ISRG to benefit from this growth [8]. - The company has raised its full-year 2025 procedure growth guidance to 15.5-17%, driven by increased demand for various surgical procedures [11]. Revenue Composition - Recurring revenues from the sale of accessories accounted for 85% of total sales in the first half of 2025, highlighting the importance of instruments and accessories [13]. - Revenue per procedure remained stable at approximately $1,780-$1,800, despite pressures from declining bariatric surgeries [13]. Competitive Landscape - ISRG faces increasing competition from major players like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson, which are introducing cost-effective and modular robotic systems [21][22]. - Medtronic's Hugo system and J&J's Ottava system are expected to gain traction in the U.S. market, posing challenges to ISRG's market share [22][23]. Challenges - The company is experiencing moderating growth in bariatric procedures due to the introduction of new drugs targeting obesity, which may impact future top-line growth [18]. - Budget constraints in international markets are limiting the adoption of da Vinci systems, particularly in developing regions [19][20]. - Macroeconomic pressures and rising inflation are forcing governments to prioritize essential healthcare over capital-intensive robotic platforms [20]. Valuation - ISRG is considered overvalued, with a forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 50.56, significantly higher than the sector average of 27.51 [24].

Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) reported a strong second-quarter 2025 performance with procedure volumes increasing by 17% year over year, driven by growth in general surgery and gynecology, particularly in hernia repair, bariatrics, and colorectal procedures [1][9] - Despite robust procedure growth, gross margin declined by 200 basis points to 67.9% due to higher component and logistics costs, foreign exchange pressures, and a higher mix of new platforms like da Vinci 5, which have lower margins [2][9] - The company placed 395 da Vinci systems in the second quarter, with a growing mix of operating leases that may depress near-term revenue but provide long-term recurring benefits [3] - ISRG reiterated its 2025 margin guidance of 66-67% and emphasized operational efficiency improvements through automation, scale, and digital tools [4][9] - Near-term EPS expansion will depend on managing margin pressures from foreign exchange, inflation, and platform mix, but operational efficiencies could lead to durable EPS growth [5] Peer Performance - Globus Medical (GMED) reported strong first-quarter 2025 results with net sales of $598.1 million and adjusted EPS of 68 cents, benefiting from integration with NuVasive and volume-driven growth in musculoskeletal solutions [6] - Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) achieved first-quarter 2025 sales of $1.91 billion, a 2.3% increase at constant currency, with adjusted EPS of $1.81, despite modest EPS pressure from tariffs and acquisition costs [7] Valuation and Estimates - ISRG shares have declined by 6.4% year-to-date, compared to the industry's decline of 7.7% [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 16.7, above the industry average but below its five-year median of 17.1, with a Value Score of D [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISRG's 2025 earnings suggests a 6.8% increase from the previous year [12]

Group 1: Palantir Technologies - Palantir Technologies stock has advanced 435% in the past year, bringing its market value to $300 billion as of June 7 [1] Group 2: Shopify - Shopify develops e-commerce software and services, holding over 12% of online retail sales in the U.S. and 6% in Western Europe, making it the second-largest e-commerce company behind Amazon [3] - Forrester Research recognized Shopify as a technology leader in wholesale commerce solutions, which is four times larger and growing faster than retail commerce [4] - Shopify reported a 27% revenue increase to $2.3 billion in Q1, with non-GAAP net income rising 25% to $0.25 per diluted share, and a 10-basis-point increase in take rate [5] - Shopify's current market value is $145 billion, with a potential to exceed $300 billion if its stock price increases by 107% over the next three years, implying annual returns of 27.4% [6] - Wall Street expects adjusted earnings to increase by 23% annually through 2026, making the current valuation of 90 times earnings appear expensive, though Shopify has historically beaten consensus estimates by an average of 11% [7][8] Group 3: Intuitive Surgical - Intuitive Surgical is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery, known for its da Vinci systems, which enhance precision in minimally invasive procedures [9] - The company reported a 19% revenue increase to $2.2 billion in Q1, with non-GAAP net income rising 21% to $1.81 per diluted share [10] - An important catalyst for Intuitive Surgical is the upcoming launch of the da Vinci 5 system, featuring significantly enhanced computing power and innovations like force feedback [11] - Proposed tariffs are expected to reduce gross margin by 1.7 percentage points, but there is potential for improvement if trade deals are negotiated [12] - Wall Street anticipates adjusted earnings growth of 10% annually through 2026, with a current valuation of 73 times earnings, though Intuitive Surgical has beaten consensus estimates by an average of 14% [13]

Core Insights - Palantir Technologies is currently valued at $269 billion, but analysts believe Intuitive Surgical and ServiceNow could surpass this valuation by 2026 [1] Intuitive Surgical - Intuitive Surgical is a leader in robotics-assisted surgery, known for its da Vinci systems, which enhance precision in minimally invasive procedures across five surgical areas [3][7] - The company operates on a razor-and-blade business model, where surgical systems are the razors and consumable tools are the blades, creating a steady revenue stream [4] - In Q1, Intuitive Surgical reported a 19% revenue increase to $2.2 billion, driven by growth in da Vinci procedures and system placements, with non-GAAP earnings rising 21% to $1.50 per diluted share [5] - Morgan Stanley analyst Patrick Wood set a bull-case target price of $850 per share for Intuitive Surgical, indicating a 64% upside from its current price of $517, leading to a potential market value of $304 billion [6] - Recent FDA approvals allow da Vinci systems to perform more colorectal surgeries, suggesting a larger total addressable market and potential for faster growth [8] - Wall Street anticipates adjusted earnings growth of 10% annually through 2026, but Intuitive Surgical has historically beaten estimates by an average of 14% [9] - If earnings grow at 28% annually through Q3 2026, the market value could reach $270 billion without changes in the P/E ratio, though current shares trade at 68 times earnings, indicating a high valuation [10] ServiceNow - ServiceNow specializes in workflow management software, particularly in IT service management and AI for IT operations, and introduced generative AI features in 2023 [11] - The company reported an 18% revenue increase to $3 billion in Q1, with non-GAAP net income also rising 18% to $4.04 per diluted share, attributed to its strong position in enterprise-grade AI [12] - Wall Street expects ServiceNow's adjusted earnings to grow at 19% annually through 2026, with the company beating consensus estimates by an average of 7% over the last six quarters [12] - If this trend continues, trailing-12-month earnings could reach $20.10 per share, leading to a potential share price of $1,325, implying a 39% upside from the current price [12] - In this scenario, ServiceNow's market value could reach $275 billion by Q3 2026, surpassing Palantir's current valuation, although the current valuation is considered expensive for the expected growth rate [13]

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Surgical reported strong quarterly earnings with a double beat on both revenue and earnings per share, but mixed guidance due to tariff uncertainties affecting future growth prospects [3][4][5]. Financial Performance - The company achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81, exceeding estimates by $0.10 and reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase [3]. - Revenue for the quarter was $2.25 billion, surpassing estimates by 3.27% and showing a 19% year-over-year growth [3]. Guidance and Growth Expectations - Intuitive Surgical anticipates a procedure volume growth of 15% to 17%, an increase from the previous guidance of 13% to 16% [4]. - Despite the positive growth outlook, the company faces challenges from tariffs, which could offset this growth [5]. Tariff Impact - The company manufactures 98% of its Da Vinci systems in the U.S., but 70% of endoscopes and 80% of instruments and accessories are sourced from Europe and Mexico, respectively [6]. - Intuitive Surgical expects a non-GAAP gross margin of 65% to 66.5%, a decline of about 5% year-over-year, factoring in an estimated revenue impact of 1.7% due to tariffs [7]. Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings - The current stock price is $508.13, with a 12-month price target of $598.95, indicating a potential upside of 17.87% [8]. - The stock is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 75.8, which is considered expensive compared to the broader market but aligns with its five-year average [8]. - Analysts suggest a cautious approach, recommending waiting for the stock to break above the 50-day simple moving average before taking a long position [10]. Tariff Outlook - The company faces potential tariffs of 125% and 145% for imports and exports to China, 10% for European components, and 25% for certain products from Mexico [12].