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Medtronic's (MDT) CRHF Arm Growth Strong, Rising Costs a Woe

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On Jun 4, we issued an updated research report on Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) . While we are encouraged by the global acceptance of the company’s advanced therapies, its escalating costs and expenses raise concerns. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Over the past three months, shares of Medtronic have outperformed the industry.  The stock has grown 10.1% against the industry’s 2.1% decline.

Notably, Medtronic exited the fiscal 2018 on a solid note with better-than-expected fourth-quarter performances. All major business groups contributed to its solid top-line growth at CER, highlighting sustainability across groups and regions, in addition to displaying a successful integration and achievement of synergy targets. Also, a gradually stabilizing Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure(CRHF) market buoys optimism.

 

The receipt of FDA approval for the DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) therapy as an adjunctive treatment to reduce partial-onset seizures raises hope for the company in the target medical market. Medtronic is also focusing on geographical diversification of its businesses. The company is highly positive about its foray into the $1-billion standalone CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) market with its Guardian Connect.

We are currently upbeat about Medtronic’s recently-launched restructuring initiative called Enterprise Excellence plan, aimed at $3-billion annual growth run rate savings by the end of fiscal 2022. Per the company, this new program has been designed to increase its effectiveness and growth-related reinvestment ability along with providing a consistent boost to its margin expansion and driving the EPS leverage.

On the flip side, the company has been exposed to steep costs and expenses, weighing heavily on its margins. Also, its 2019 guidance remains conservative on the apprehension of lackluster Cardiac and Vascular Group (CVG) and Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG) performances. This in turn dampens investors’ confidence in the stock.

Key Picks

A few better-ranked stocks in the broader medical sector are Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) , Illumina, Inc (ILMN - Free Report) and Amedisys, Inc (AMED - Free Report) . While Intuitive Surgical and Illumina sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Amedisys carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Intuitive Surgical has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 12.1%.

Illumina expects long-term earnings growth of 20%.

Amedisys has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 17.5%.

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