As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q3. Today, we are looking at medical devices & supplies - cardiology, neurology, vascular stocks, starting with Artivion (NYSE: AORT).

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 very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.5%.

Luckily, medical devices & supplies - cardiology, neurology, vascular stocks have performed well with share prices up 13.5% on average since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: Artivion (NYSE: AORT)

Formerly known as CryoLife until its 2022 rebranding, Artivion (NYSE: AORT) develops and manufactures medical devices and preserves human tissues used in cardiac and vascular surgical procedures for patients with aortic disease.

Artivion reported revenues of $113.4 million, up 18.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year revenue guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations.

"Our third quarter performance was exceptionally strong as we made progress across each of our strategic initiatives while delivering 16% constant currency revenue growth. Revenue growth was driven by year-over-year growth in stent grafts of 38%, On-X of 25%, preservation services of 5%, BioGlue of 2%, all compared to the third quarter of 2024. On a constant currency basis, year-over-year stent grafts, On-X, preservation services, and BioGlue grew 31%, 23%, 5%, and 1%, respectively." said Pat Mackin, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

Artivion scored the fastest revenue growth and highest full-year guidance raise, but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 1.4% since reporting and currently trades at $46.82.

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

Best Q3: ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI)

Founded in 1984 and named for its initial focus on intensive care units, ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI) develops and manufactures medical products for infusion therapy, vascular access, and vital care applications used in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

ICU Medical reported revenues of $533.3 million, down 9.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 17.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $152.18.

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

Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI)

Founded in 1987 and now offering over 1,700 patented products across global markets, Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) manufactures and markets specialized medical devices used in minimally invasive procedures for cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy.

Merit Medical Systems reported revenues of $384.2 million, up 13% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 3.2%. It may have had the worst quarter among its peers, but its results were still good as it also locked in an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Merit Medical Systems delivered the weakest full-year guidance update in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 5.5% since the results and currently trades at $87.65.

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

Penumbra (NYSE: PEN)

Founded in 2004 to address challenging medical conditions with significant unmet needs, Penumbra (NYSE: PEN) develops and manufactures innovative medical devices for treating vascular diseases and providing immersive healthcare rehabilitation solutions.

Penumbra reported revenues of $354.7 million, up 17.8% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 4.2%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Penumbra pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 32.6% since reporting and currently trades at $299.

Read our full, actionable report on Penumbra here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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