Israel-based developer of robotic technology and products, Mazor Robotics Ltd. MZOR, recently announced the receipt of 21 surgical guidance system orders in fourth-quarter 2016. Per management, this was the ‘most successful year’ for the company with a record of 62 system orders, registering a 138% increase on a year-over-year basis.
A glimpse at the stock price movement reveals a solid trend as Mazor Robotics gained almost 20.4% over the last six months, comparing favorably with the Zacks classified Medical Instruments sub-industry’s decline of 2.8% and the S&P 500’s return of almost 5.3%.
Getting back to the deal, the total orders in the fourth quarter included 19 orders in the domestic markets and two in the international markets. In this regard, 16 orders were for the Mazor X system, a new transformative platform for spine surgeries and three for the Renaissance system in the U.S. In the last quarter, Mazor Robotics received 25 surgical guidance system orders, which included 18 orders for the Mazor X platform.
Mazor Robotics’ fundamentals are compelling with revenues growing at a CAGR of 5.7% over the past three years. However, an unfavorable estimate revision trend for the current year, with two estimates moving south in the last two months and with no movement in the opposite direction, is a concern. Notably, the current year estimates for the stock plunged by 16 cents to a loss of 82 cents per share.
Management expects to deliver the orders by 2017. Out of the total, six units are to be delivered to Medtronic Plc. (MDT), a premier medical technology and services organization. In this regard, earlier in 2016, Mazor Robotics entered into two strategic agreements with Medtronic.
Our Take
Innovation continues to be a major area of focus for Mazor Robotics, which will propel considerable growth over the long haul. Of the major developments in fiscal 2016, the successful commercial launch of the Mazor X platform and the strategic partnership with Medtronic are notable. Meanwhile, a remarkable volume of 35.2 thousand Mazor Robotics shares exchanged hands over the past one year.
Furthermore, the streak of order wins at the Mazor X platform would significantly boost Mazor Robotics’ growth trajectory in the spinal implants and surgical devices market. A report by the Research And Markets reveals that the niche market is expected to reach a worth of $17.27 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 5.3%.
However, with a sluggish industry rank (among the bottom 49%) and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), the stock is presently unappealing.
Key Picks
Better-ranked stocks in the broader medical sector include Addus HomeCare Corporation ADUS, Cogentix Medical, Inc. CGNT and Penumbra Inc. PEN. All the three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Addus HomeCare has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of approximately 15%. Notably, the stock represents an impressive one-year return of 49.4%.
Cogentix Medical has posted a positive earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter. Additionally, the company has a promising one-year return of almost 75.8%.
Penumbra has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of approximately 20%. Notably, the stock registered an impressive one-year return of roughly 19.5%.
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