Stock of the Day

November 22, 2019

Merit Medical Systems (MMSI)

$90.66
+$0.17 (+0.2%)
Market Cap: $5.40B

About Merit Medical Systems

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets single-use medical products for interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Cardiovascular and Endoscopy. The company provides micropuncture kits, angiographic needles, sheaths, guide wires, and safety products; peripheral intervention, including angiography, drainage, delivery systems, and embolotherapy products; spine products, such as vertebral augmentation, radiofrequency ablation, and bone biopsy systems; oncology products; and cardiac intervention products, such as access, angiography, electrophysiology and cardiac rhythm management, fluid management, hemodynamic monitoring, hemostasis, and intervention to treat various heart conditions. It also offers custom procedural solutions that include critical care products, disinfection protection systems, syringes, manifold kits, and trays and packs; coating services for medical tubes and wires; and sensor components for microelectromechanical systems. In addition, the company provides pulmonary products that consist of laser-cut tracheobronchial stents, over-the-wire and direct visualization delivery systems, and dilation balloons to endoscopically dilate structures; gastroenterology products, such as covered esophageal stents, syringe and gauges, and balloon dilators; and kits and accessories for endoscopy and bronchoscopy procedures. It sells its products to hospitals and alternate site-based physicians, technicians, and nurses through direct sales force, distributors, original equipment manufacturer partners, or custom procedure tray manufacturers. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in South Jordan, Utah.

Today's Trend

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI) received mostly favorable analyst estimate revisions, which may support investor sentiment. However, the stock remains near its 52-week high and trades at a relatively elevated valuation, making it sensitive to changes in expectations.

  • Zacks Research raised several earnings forecasts. The firm increased its FY2026 EPS estimate to $3.73 from $3.57, FY2027 to $4.01 from $3.82, and FY2028 to $4.32 from $4.12. It also lifted estimates for Q2 2027, Q3 2027, Q1 2028, and Q2 2028. The revisions suggest improved confidence in Merit Medical’s longer-term earnings growth.
  • Longer-term earnings expectations are moving higher. The revised FY2027 and FY2028 forecasts exceed the current-year consensus estimate of roughly $3.81–$3.84 per share, reinforcing the outlook for continued earnings expansion.
  • Short-interest data appears unusable. The report lists short interest at zero shares and describes the change as “NaN,” with a zero days-to-cover ratio. This does not provide a meaningful signal about short-selling pressure or potential short covering.
  • One near-term estimate was reduced. Zacks lowered its Q4 2026 EPS forecast slightly to $0.98 from $0.99. While the change is minor, it offsets some of the broader positive revisions and indicates limited near-term earnings impact.
  • Valuation leaves less room for disappointment. Merit Medical’s shares recently traded near their 52-week high, with a P/E ratio above 37 and a PEG ratio above 2. Stronger earnings expectations are supportive, but the premium valuation could weigh on the stock if results or guidance fall short.

Overall, the analyst revisions are predominantly positive and point to improving future profitability, although the small Q4 downgrade, questionable short-interest data, and demanding valuation may explain why the shares have not moved decisively higher.