Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) Short Interest Up 7.8% in November

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) saw a significant growth in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,150,000 shares, a growth of 7.8% from the October 31st total of 3,850,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,260,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.3 days.

Intuitive Surgical Stock Performance

Shares of Intuitive Surgical stock opened at $542.85 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $193.35 billion, a PE ratio of 87.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.33 and a beta of 1.39. Intuitive Surgical has a 1 year low of $304.50 and a 1 year high of $552.00. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $510.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $469.49.

Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 17th. The medical equipment provider reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. Intuitive Surgical had a net margin of 28.51% and a return on equity of 13.41%. On average, equities analysts predict that Intuitive Surgical will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Intuitive Surgical

In related news, General Counsel Gary Loeb sold 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.00, for a total value of $142,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 1,595 shares in the company, valued at $757,625. This trade represents a 15.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Mark Brosius sold 2,128 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $515.00, for a total value of $1,095,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 273 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $140,595. This represents a 88.63 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 51,023 shares of company stock worth $26,384,247 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Intuitive Surgical

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ISRG. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Intuitive Surgical in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Intuitive Surgical by 140.0% in the third quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 60 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. LGT Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Intuitive Surgical by 415.4% during the second quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 67 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Intuitive Surgical in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in Intuitive Surgical during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 83.64% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on ISRG. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Intuitive Surgical from $512.00 to $560.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Intuitive Surgical from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $538.00 price target (up from $495.00) on shares of Intuitive Surgical in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Intuitive Surgical from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Intuitive Surgical from $503.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Intuitive Surgical presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $536.61.

About Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical, Inc develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung.