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Stryker's (SYK) Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Guidance Raised

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Stryker Corporation (SYK - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.35 by 6.4%. The bottom line also improved 16.8% year over year.

GAAP EPS was $2.05, up 33.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level.

Price Performance

SYK’s shares have risen 19.5% year to date compared with the industry's growth of 6.7%. The S&P 500 Index has increased 10.1% in the same period.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Revenue Details

Revenues totaled $5.24 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.05 billion by 3.7%. The top line also improved 9.7% on a year-over-year basis and 10.2% at constant currency (cc).

Revenues by Geography

Revenues in the United States amounted to $3.91 billion, up 11.4% from the prior-year quarter’s reported actuals. International sales increased to $1.33 billion and grew 4.9% year over year reportedly. The figure also rose 6.8%, excluding the negative impact of currency.

Segmental Analysis

MedSurg and Neurotechnology: This segment reported sales of $3 billion, up 11.5% year over year and 12.0% at cc. Sales growth was driven by increased unit volume as well as higher prices.

Orthopedics and Spine: Sales in the segment amounted to $2.24 billion, up 7.5% year over year and 8% at cc. This growth was driven by increased unit volume, partially offset by lower prices.

Margins

Adjusted gross profit totaled $3.34 billion in the reported quarter, up 10.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level. Adjusted gross margin was 63.6%, up 40 basis points (bps).

Total operating expenses were $2.36 billion, up 3.5% from the year-ago quarter’s level.

Adjusted operating income totaled $1.15 billion, up 13.9% from that recorded a year ago. Adjusted operating margin was 21.9%, up 80 bps.

Financial Update

Stryker exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $2.41 billion compared with $3.05 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Cumulative net cash provided by operating activities totaled $204 million compared with $445 million a year ago.

2024 Guidance

Stryker raised its guidance for 2024. The company expects organic growth for total revenues in the range of 8.5-9.5% compared with the earlier guidance of 7.5-9.0%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues is pegged at $22 billion. Based on the steady progress of the company’s pricing actions, it expects the full-year impact of price to be roughly flat.

SYK expects adjusted EPS in the band of $11.85-$12.05, implying growth of 12.7% at the midpoint of the guided range. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $11.86 per share. The company previously expected earnings in the range of $11.70-$12.00 per share.

The company expects unfavorable currency movement to hurt its top-line growth further in the first half of 2024. It also expects the same to hurt EPS by 5-10 cents.

Wrapping Up

Stryker exited first-quarter 2024 on a strong note, wherein both earnings and revenues beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company witnessed strong performance in the U.S. market, notably in Instruments, Medical, Endoscopy, Trauma and Extremities, and Mako. Strong International sales also buoy optimism. SYK expects the momentum in the international market to accelerate in the rest of 2024.

Moreover, the company is planning to grow its business through mergers and acquisitions in 2024. It has already acquired mfPHD, a leading provider of modular stainless steel wall systems, and SERF, a France-based joint replacement company.

The company is adopting several cost-cutting measures, including restructuring plans. These initiatives have led to a continued easing of certain cost pressures during the first quarter compared to the year-ago period. Moreover, positive pricing trends augur well for the company’s top-line growth. Stryker’s prospects in 2024 seem promising on the back of strong customer demand for its existing products as well as new launches. Its guidance for 2024 earnings and revenues appears encouraging.

Moreover, the expansion in both gross and operating margins is reassuring. However, stiff competition in the MedTech space is a concern.

Stryker Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Stryker Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Stryker Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Stryker Corporation Quote

Zacks Rank

Stryker currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space that have announced quarterly results are Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN - Free Report) , Medpace (MEDP - Free Report) and Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX - Free Report) .

Align Technology, carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present, reported first-quarter 2024 adjusted EPS of $2.14, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.1%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Revenues of $997.4 million outpaced the consensus mark by 2.6%.

Align Technology has a long-term estimated growth rate of 6.9%. Its earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, delivering an average surprise of 5.9%.

Medpace reported first-quarter 2024 adjusted EPS of $3.20, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 30.61%. Revenues of $511 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.3%. MEDP currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Medpace has a long-term estimated growth rate of 17.9%. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 12.83%.

Boston Scientific reported first-quarter 2024 adjusted EPS of 56 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.8%. Revenues of $3.86 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.9%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Boston Scientific has a long-term estimated growth rate of 12.5%. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 7.5%.

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