Right. So, the market. It’s been…a bit wobbly lately, hasn’t it? A bit like trying to balance a stack of pancakes while riding a unicycle. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG 1.34%) and DexCom (DXCM 1.24%) have both had a bit of a wobble themselves over the past year. Down 13% and 12% respectively. Which, honestly, is just…disappointing. One expects better. But, as I’ve learned (often the hard way), short-term dips don’t necessarily mean long-term doom. I’ve been doing some digging, some spreadsheets (so many spreadsheets), and I think these two might just be worth sticking with. Possibly even adding to. Though, one must always be cautious. And have a backup plan. And maybe a therapist.
Intuitive Surgical: Robots and Reality
Okay, so robots. Fancy, aren’t they? Intuitive Surgical, the big name in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), has had a couple of things to contend with. Tariffs, naturally. Because everything is always more complicated than it needs to be. And then Medtronic decided to have a go with their Hugo system. Competition. It’s the free market, darling. But honestly, the Hugo system isn’t going to dethrone the da Vinci system anytime soon. It’s like comparing a slightly enthusiastic hamster to a majestic eagle. Still, one can’t be complacent.
Let’s be realistic. The world is aging. My mother keeps reminding me of this. And aging populations require…procedures. Lots of them. By 2034, apparently, there will be more seniors than children in the US. Which is…a thought. More seniors = more demand for da Vinci. It’s basic economics, really. And the da Vinci isn’t cheap. Switching costs are high. Try explaining to a surgeon why you’re swapping their precision robotic arm for something…less precise. It’s not going to happen. They’re innovating too. New devices, label expansions. It all adds up. And the tariffs? Well, they could just…raise prices slightly. It’s a bit cheeky, but with 11,106 da Vinci systems already installed, a small price increase makes a surprisingly large difference. It’s all about leverage, isn’t it?
So, yes. Attractive outlook. Definitely a buy. Though, one should always remember the disclaimer. Past performance is not indicative of future results. And one should never invest more than one can afford to lose. Especially in healthcare. It’s a bit…fraught, isn’t it?
DexCom: The Glucose Game
Right, DexCom. They make those continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people with diabetes. Apparently, they had some product recalls. Receivers malfunctioning. Not ideal. But it only affected a tiny number of patients. Honestly, things could be much worse. They’re still a leader in the CGM market. Which is good. Because, you know, diabetes is a big deal.
The market is still underpenetrated. Millions of people who could benefit from CGMs aren’t using them. 9 million in the US alone. That’s a lot of potential customers. They’ve already got about 3.5 million globally. Not bad. Not bad at all. And they’re not just focusing on diabetics anymore. They’ve got Stelo, an over-the-counter CGM. Launched in 2024. Half a million users already. Clever. Apparently, over 40% of the US population has prediabetes. Another potential market. They’re expanding geographically too. It all adds up. It really does.
So, yes. Attractive growth prospects. Definitely a buy. Though, one should always remember the disclaimer. And the risks. And the fact that the market is unpredictable. And that one should probably diversify. And maybe take a long walk. And definitely have a backup plan. And a therapist. It’s a lot to process, isn’t it?
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2026-03-10 22:32