Why Intuitive Surgical Stock Might Be the Next Big Thing (But Only If You’ve Got Patience)

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Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is the company that makes robots so smart, they can practically perform surgery without the need for a coffee break. Their da Vinci surgical system, for example, helps doctors perform complex surgeries, while making it look like a seamless episode of Grey’s Anatomy. The future is here, and it’s robotic, not just for sci-fi geeks, but for everyone with a passing interest in living. Their technology could not only boost surgical success rates but possibly cut down healthcare costs-if we’re lucky and the robots don’t take over first.

However, all of this shiny future tech comes at a price. As of last week, Intuitive’s stock is in a bit of a rut, down 14% for the year. It’s like a stock-market version of an awkward high school reunion. Intuitive’s price recently dipped to $425-its lowest point in the last 52 weeks. It’s had a slight rebound since, but it’s still making the walk of shame back from that dip.

So, for those of you who like to play the long game in stocks (and are okay with being patient-because nothing says “long-term” like a decade), could buying into this stock be a no-brainer? Let’s break it down.

Telesurgery: The Future or Just Fancy Video Chat?

We’ve all heard of telehealth, where you video chat with your doctor instead of sitting in their waiting room watching reruns of Friends while a child repeatedly coughs on you. But telesurgery is where things get really exciting. Intuitive recently showed off their telesurgery capabilities-two surgeons, one in Georgia and the other in France, managed to perform a simulated surgery together using the company’s da Vinci 5 system. As the company notes, it’s not perfect yet, but if you’re going to bet on a revolution, this is a good one.

In theory, telesurgery could make healthcare cheaper and more accessible by allowing patients to receive care from world-class surgeons without actually having to be in the same room. Which, let’s be honest, sounds way better than trying to find parking at your local hospital.

The telesurgery market was valued at $2 billion in 2023. Not exactly pocket change, but also not enough to buy a yacht. The real upside? It’s expected to grow to nearly $6 billion by 2030. So, we’re talking about exponential growth here-kind of like when you take a cheap flight to Europe and come back with ten souvenir mugs. And AI? It’s like the secret sauce that will make everything cheaper, faster, and probably a little more frightening in the long run.

Growth Is Not Just a Buzzword for Intuitive Surgical

Now, let’s talk about how Intuitive is making bank. Their da Vinci systems aren’t exactly “cheap”-they can run well over $2 million a pop. But, given the precision and improved patient outcomes they bring to the table, it’s not a bad investment for hospitals that want to pretend they’re in the future.

Despite the hefty price tag, demand for these systems has been strong. As of June 30, the company had installed 10,488 surgical systems worldwide, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. Even more impressive: the number of da Vinci procedures performed was up 17% from last year. It’s like watching a new season of a hit show that everyone can’t stop talking about.

And while the U.S. tariff situation is kind of a buzzkill (because who doesn’t love taxes?), Intuitive is still projecting a 17% increase in da Vinci procedures this year. Expect their gross profit margin to take a slight dip due to the tariffs, but it’s still going to hover around 66%-67%. So, overall, they’re weathering the storm. For now.

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Is Intuitive Surgical Stock Actually a Good Deal?

Okay, let’s be honest: Intuitive Surgical’s stock is not what you’d call “cheap.” Even with its recent dip, the stock is still trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 63. And that’s not even its forward P/E, which is nearly 50 (it’s like paying a premium for the designer version of a product, even if the knockoff is pretty decent). Still, if you’re looking for a stock to hold onto for the next decade or more, Intuitive Surgical could be your ticket to the future of healthcare. Just make sure you’ve got the patience to sit through the ride-because no one ever said investing was a sprint.

So, if you’re not afraid of playing the long game, consider this your green light to get in early. Just maybe bring a stress ball for the ride. 🤞

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2025-09-18 17:30