January 23, 2026
Finance

Analysts Adjust Projections Following Intuitive Surgical’s Q4 Earnings Beat

Intuitive Surgical posts stronger-than-anticipated Q4 revenue and earnings, prompting mixed analyst revisions

Loading...
Loading quote...

Summary

Intuitive Surgical Inc delivered financial results for the fourth quarter exceeding analyst expectations, with both revenue and adjusted earnings per share coming in ahead of estimates. The company provided guidance for 2026, projecting a moderate increase in da Vinci procedures and stable gross profit margins. Analyst opinions split on price targets post-results, reflecting a balance of confidence and caution among market watchers.

Key Points

Intuitive Surgical exceeded Q4 financial expectations, reporting $2.87 billion in revenue versus a $2.75 billion estimate and adjusted EPS of $2.53 versus $2.26 expected.
The company projects 2026 worldwide da Vinci procedures will increase by 13-15%, a slower pace than the 18% growth forecasted for 2025.
Gross profit margin is expected to remain stable in the 67%-68% range for 2026, similar to 2025’s 67.6%.
Analyst reactions varied with Bernstein raising the price target to $750 while Evercore ISI lowered theirs to $550, reflecting a dichotomy of market sentiment.

Intuitive Surgical Inc, a leader in robotic-assisted surgery technologies, revealed financial outcomes for the quarter ending December 2025 that surpassed the predictions set by market analysts. The company recorded quarterly revenue of $2.87 billion, eclipsing the $2.75 billion consensus estimate. Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter stood at $2.53, outperforming the predicted $2.26 per share, demonstrating robust profitability for the period.

Following this performance, Intuitive Surgical provided forward-looking guidance for the fiscal year 2026. Management anticipates a growth in total worldwide da Vinci surgical procedures by approximately 13% to 15% year-over-year. This forecast represents a deceleration from the estimated 18% growth in procedures expected during 2025. Additionally, the company projects its gross profit margin to fall within a range of 67% to 68% of revenues in 2026. This projection is relatively consistent with the 67.6% margin realized in the previous year, indicating stable margin performance moving forward.

The stock price reacted modestly to these announcements, with shares closing at $526.86, marking a slight increase of 0.2% on the trading day following the report.

Within the analyst community, responses to the earnings announcement have been varied, leading to adjustments in price targets and maintained or revised ratings reflecting diverse outlooks on Intuitive Surgical's near-term prospects.

Bernstein analyst Lee Hambright reiterated an Outperform rating on the company’s stock, indicating continued confidence in its growth trajectory. Hambright also raised the price target for Intuitive Surgical shares slightly from $740 to $750, signaling an optimistic view about the company’s valuation potential post-earnings.

Conversely, Evercore ISI Group analyst Vijay Kumar maintained an In-Line rating on the stock, suggesting a neutral stance on its relative performance against market expectations. Kumar lowered the price target from $580 to $550, reflecting a more cautious outlook or tempered expectations regarding valuation following the quarterly results and guidance.

These divergent analyst perspectives underscore the balance between the strengths evidenced in the company’s recent financial results and the slower anticipated growth in surgical procedures in 2026 relative to the prior year’s forecast. This dynamic exemplifies the nuanced views investors and analysts hold in assessing Intuitive Surgical's future growth and profitability.

As of market close following the report, Intuitive Surgical’s stock traded near $525, experiencing a marginal decline of 0.13%, reflecting the mixed reception among investors amid evolving analyst opinions.

While Intuitive Surgical continues to demonstrate solid operating performance with expanding revenues and consistent margins, there remain uncertainties related to the deceleration in procedural growth and the implications that may have on longer-term earnings expansion and stock price appreciation.

Overall, the company’s earnings release and guidance update have prompted analysts to recalibrate expectations, contributing to a range of investment theses evidenced by both upward and downward adjustments in target prices as stakeholders weigh the evolving performance metrics.

Risks
  • Growth in da Vinci procedures is forecasted to slow in 2026, potentially impacting revenue momentum.
  • Gross profit margin projections indicate stability but not expansion, which may constrain earnings growth.
  • Differing analyst price targets illustrate uncertainty regarding the stock’s valuation and future performance.
  • The modest share price movement post-earnings suggests cautious investor sentiment amid mixed guidance.
Disclosure
Education only / not financial advice
Search Articles
Category
Finance

Financial News

Ticker Sentiment
ISRG - neutral
Related Articles
Becton Dickinson Faces Market Headwinds Amid Transition and Revised Earnings Projections

Becton Dickinson & Co. posted first-quarter earnings above analyst expectations but trimmed its fisc...

Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Q4 Earnings and Raises Full-Year Guidance Driving Stock Higher

Quest Diagnostics posted fourth-quarter results surpassing both earnings and revenue expectations, d...

Major U.S. Stocks Climb Following Strong Earnings Reports and Positive Guidance

U.S. equity markets moved higher on Tuesday, driven by Datadog's significant share price increase fo...

Zillow Faces Stock Decline Following Quarterly Earnings That Marginally Beat Revenue Expectations

Zillow Group Inc recent quarterly results reflect steady revenue growth surpassing sector averages b...

Upstart Holdings Posts Robust Q4 Earnings Growth, Shares Rise in Extended Trading

Upstart Holdings, Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2025 financial results that exceeded analyst expectat...

Astera Labs Posts Strong Q4 Results Amid CFO Transition, Shares Decline in After-Hours

Astera Labs Inc revealed its financial performance for the fourth quarter, surpassing market forecas...