In the event you marvel if Intuitive Surgical NASDAQ: ISRG inventory can pattern larger this yr, it might probably. The med tech enterprise is rising, and Intuitive Surgical is the {industry} chief and outperforming expectations. The takeaway from the Q1 outcomes is identical as final quarter and final yr: {industry} normalization is compounded by the widening use of DaVinci techniques and deepening penetration of current markets. The mixture is juicing the highest and backside strains, main the analysts to boost their targets and paving a path to new all-time excessive share costs. 

Intuitive Surgical Had a Good Quarter

Intuitive Surgical had a great quarter on all ranges. The corporate reviews strong double-digit development above expectations and wider margins with no influence from COVID. The takeaway is that enterprise is rising below its affect and with out headwinds, offering a transparent path to bettering shareholder worth. 

The corporate reported $1.89 billion in income for a virtually 12% YOY acquire that outpaced consensus by 100 foundation factors. The energy was pushed by a 16% improve in process quantity aided by a 90% improve in ion bronchoscopy procedures and a 14% improve within the put in machine base, which gives leverage to development. Devices & Equipment led the income development segmentally, up 18%, however a slight decline in Techniques offset this. Techniques fell by 2% because of the mixture of end-users. Companies grew by 10%.

The corporate skilled value stress together with its development however was capable of handle it and leverage bottom-line outcomes. The price of income grew solely 10.2% in comparison with the 11.8% top-line acquire and was compounded by an analogous energy in working margin. Working prices rose solely 7%, leaving the GAAP web revenue up 53%, GAAP earnings up 51%, and adjusted earnings up 22% and 560 bps higher than the consensus forecast reported by Marketbeat. 

Intuitive Surgical doesn’t give steerage however exhibits momentum and is constructing leverage. Nonetheless, throughout the convention name, the corporate executives talked about an industry-wide backlog of procedures that ought to proceed to drive outcomes this yr. 

Analysts Elevate Worth Targets for Intuitive Surgical 

Analysts appreciated what they noticed within the ISRG Q1 earnings report and are issuing favorable revisions. The few tracked by Marketbeat.com embody a single worth goal discount to $440, which is effectively above the present motion and the consensus. The vary of latest targets runs from a near-consensus of $375 to $436, assuming 1% to 18% of upside. The excessive finish of the vary was additionally set not too long ago and provides one other 600 bps of upside to the outlook. Analysts charge this inventory at a consensus Reasonable Purchase and have been agency and regular in that view for greater than twelve months. 

Insider promoting could also be a headwind for the market. In Q1 2024, insiders bought en masse and will proceed to promote because the share worth advances. Nonetheless, insiders personal a tiny 0.90% of the corporate and take part in share-based compensation, so no vital crimson flags are raised, given the standard of the outcomes. The establishments could be a extra substantial concern; they personal about 84% of the inventory, however their exercise is mild and has helped assist the market during the last yr. 

Intuitive Surgical Inventory Falls to Help

Intuitive Surgical’s inventory worth broke out to a brand new excessive not too long ago and is now receding to retest for assist on the crucial stage. Assuming the market takes benefit of the chance, ISRG inventory ought to start to rebound quickly. The crucial assist goal is close to the earlier highs at $358, which is just a brief fall away. If the market doesn’t assist this inventory at $358, it might fall beneath the crucial stage and transfer as little as $300 earlier than rebounding. 

Earlier than you contemplate Intuitive Surgical, you may need to hear this.