Intuitive Surgical (ISRG US): Global Leadership to Continue Amid Upcoming Competition

Shares of Intuitive Surgical (ISRG US) corrected ~10% from its 52-week high price of $362 achieved in early September. We believe the correction reflects investors’ fear on the pace of recovery of the elective surgeries globally, especially in the U.S. Amidst this backdrop, the company’s Q3 results announcement on October 19 will be a closely watched event. During their Q2 results announcement, management raised 2021 procedure growth (a key performance parameter) guidance to 27–30% y/y from 22–26% y/y announced during Q1 results announcement. So, outlook on procedure growth guidance for the remainder of the year and early trend into Q4 will the major catalysts for the shares. Shares of Intuitive Surgical have historically been trading at a high multiple, at par with other high growth ideas such as Abiomed Inc (ABMD US), Align Technology (ALGN US), IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX US), and Illumina Inc (ILMN US). Intuitive’s large market opportunity, especially in the international market, less than 10% penetration of its TAM, near monopolistic market positioning, and high switching cost justify its premium valuation. However, the valuation is always questioned amidst the upcoming competition. As Intuitive’s patent expired, big players including Medtronic Plc (MDT US) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ US) are vying to take some share through acquisitions of surgical robot start-up entities. This insight analyzes multiple upcoming competition in the soft tissue surgical robotic market and how Intuitive Surgical is expected to maintain its global leadership amid the competition.