As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the medical devices & supplies - cardiology, neurology, vascular industry, including ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI) and its peers.

The medical devices and supplies industry, particularly in the fields of cardiology, neurology, and vascular care, benefits from a business model that balances innovation with relatively predictable revenue streams. These companies focus on developing life-saving devices such as stents, pacemakers, neurostimulation implants, and vascular access tools, which address critical and often chronic conditions. The recurring need for these devices, coupled with growing global demand for advanced treatments, provides stability and opportunities for long-term growth. However, the industry faces hurdles such as high research and development costs, rigorous regulatory approval processes, and reliance on reimbursement from healthcare systems, which can exert downward pressure on pricing. 

Looking ahead, the industry is positioned to benefit from tailwinds such as aging populations (which tend to have higher rates of disease) and technological advancements like minimally invasive procedures and connected devices that improve patient monitoring and outcomes. Innovations in robotic-assisted surgery and AI-driven diagnostics are also expected to accelerate adoption and expand treatment capabilities. However, potential headwinds include pricing pressures stemming from value-based care models and continued complexity changing from navigating regulatory frameworks that may prioritize further lowering healthcare costs.

The 4 medical devices & supplies - cardiology, neurology, vascular stocks we track reported a strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 9.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI)

Founded in 1984, ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI) provides medical devices and systems for infusion therapy, vascular access, and oncology (cancer) care.

ICU Medical reported revenues of $589.1 million, up 6.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Vivek Jain, ICU Medical’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Third quarter results were generally in line with our expectations."

ICU Medical delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is down 10.9% since reporting and currently trades at $158.33.

Is now the time to buy ICU Medical? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Artivion (NYSE: AORT)

Founded in 1992, Artivion (NYSE: AORT) develops and manufactures medical devices and biomaterials for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with a focus on aortic valve replacement, vascular surgery, and cardiac surgery.

Artivion reported revenues of $95.78 million, up 9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ sales volume estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 4% since reporting. It currently trades at $30.14.

Is now the time to buy Artivion? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI)

Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) designs and manufactures medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, with a focus on cardiology, radiology, and endoscopy.

Merit Medical Systems reported revenues of $339.8 million, up 7.8% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also posted a decent beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 14.5% since the results and currently trades at $108.59.

Read our full analysis of Merit Medical Systems’s results here.

Penumbra (NYSE: PEN)

Founded in 2004, Penumbra (NYSE: PEN) designs and manufactures medical devices, focusing on the treatment of neurological and vascular diseases.

Penumbra reported revenues of $301 million, up 11.1% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates.

Penumbra pulled off the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 30.2% since reporting and currently trades at $274.99.

Read our full, actionable report on Penumbra here, it’s free.

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