Medtronic and Merit Medical Systems Partner to Launch FDA-Cleared ViaVerte™ System for Chronic Lower Back Pain Treatment
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 24 2026
0mins
Source: moomoo
Agreement Announcement: Medtronic has entered into an agreement to offer a new treatment for chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain.
FDA Clearance: The treatment involves the use of the FDA-cleared VERTEX™ system, which is designed for ablation of nerve tissue.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy MDT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on MDT
Wall Street analysts forecast MDT stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 80.380
Low
102.00
Averages
111.76
High
120.00
Current: 80.380
Low
102.00
Averages
111.76
High
120.00
About MDT
Medtronic Public Limited Company is an Ireland-based company, which provides healthcare technology solutions. The Company’s products category includes Advanced Surgical Technology; Cardiac Rhythm; Cardiovascular; Digestive & Gastrointestinal; Ear, Nose & Throat; General Surgery; Gynecological; Neurological; Oral & Maxillofacial; Patient Monitoring; Renal Care; Respiratory; Spinal & Orthopedic; Surgical Navigation & Imaging; Urological; Product Manuals; Product Ordering & Inquiries; and Product Performance & Advisories. Its products include Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) Stabilization, Aortic Stent Graft Products, CareLink Personal Therapy Management Software, CareLink Pro Therapy Management Software. Its services and solutions include Ambulatory Surgery Center Resources, Care Management Services, Digital Connectivity Information Technology (IT) Support, Equipment Services and Support, Innovation Lab, Medtronic Healthcare Consulting, and Office-Based Sinus Surgery.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Medtronic Acquires Scientia Vascular for $550 Million
- Acquisition Deal Size: Medtronic has acquired medical device company Scientia Vascular for $550 million, including potential milestone payments, which further strengthens its neurovascular portfolio.
- Technological Integration Advantage: The acquisition incorporates Scientia's guidewire and catheter technologies into Medtronic's product line, aiming to improve access in complex cerebral vasculature, thereby enhancing the efficiency of stroke and aneurysm procedures.
- Financial Impact Expectation: Medtronic anticipates that the deal will be minimally dilutive to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in fiscal year 2027, with profitability expected to increase thereafter, indicating the strategic value of the acquisition.
- Market Reaction: Medtronic's shares closed at $80.20 on Friday, down 0.16%, but traded slightly higher at $80.26 in the overnight market, reflecting a cautiously optimistic market response to the acquisition.
See More
Citadel Advisors Increases Stake in Intuitive Surgical Amid Market Challenges
- AI Stock Reduction: Citadel Advisors sold 2.9 million shares of Nvidia and 6 million shares of Amazon in Q1, although both remain among its largest holdings, indicating a strategic shift to reallocate capital into more attractive investment opportunities.
- Healthcare Stake Increase: The firm increased its stake in Intuitive Surgical by 30.3% during the first quarter, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term prospects despite facing multiple challenges from competition, lower-margin products, and tariffs.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Intuitive Surgical is encountering increased competition in the robotic-assisted surgery market from Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson; however, the company maintains a significant lead due to its 26 years of market experience and extensive installed base.
- Profitability Outlook: Despite Intuitive Surgical's high valuation with a forward P/E ratio of 39.7, its revenue and earnings growth outpace peers, and its strong competitive edge in the medical device sector justifies this premium.
See More
Citadel Advisors Increases Stake in Intuitive Surgical Amid Challenges
- Increased Stake: Citadel Advisors raised its stake in Intuitive Surgical by 30.3% in Q1, demonstrating confidence in the company's long-term growth potential despite facing challenges such as increased competition and tariffs.
- Market Competition: Intuitive Surgical is encountering competitive pressure in the robotic-assisted surgery market from companies like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson; however, its 26 years of market experience and strong customer base help maintain its leading position.
- Financial Pressures: Despite relatively strong financial results, Intuitive Surgical's stock has dropped 20% over the past 12 months due to declining product margins and tariff impacts, raising investor concerns about its future performance.
- Long-Term Outlook: Intuitive Surgical is exploring ways to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance its device capabilities, and despite current challenges, its vast market potential and high switching costs provide a solid foundation for future growth.
See More
Three Dividend Stocks Worth Investing In
- Bristol Myers Squibb's Growth Potential: Bristol Myers Squibb's Q1 revenue rose 3% year-over-year to $11.5 billion, with new drug sales increasing 12% to $6.2 billion, indicating a strong recovery in its oncology portfolio that could further enhance sales growth in the future.
- Merck's Product Diversification: Despite competitive pressures, Merck's newer products have an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, with the pulmonary arterial hypertension drug Winrevair generating $525 million in Q1, an impressive 88% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's strong performance in new markets.
- Medtronic's Strategic Restructuring: Medtronic announced the spin-off of its diabetes care division into a standalone public company to enhance overall operational efficiency, while its new Pulse Field Ablation devices are positively impacting revenue growth in recent quarters.
- Attractive Dividend Yields: All three companies offer attractive dividend yields, with Bristol Myers at 4.4%, Merck at 3%, and Medtronic at 3.6%, all of which have significantly increased their dividends over the past decade, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
Three Healthcare Stocks with Dividend Growth Potential
- Bristol Myers' Recovery: Bristol Myers Squibb's Q1 revenue rose 3% year-over-year to $11.5 billion, driven by new drug approvals and sales growth, which are expected to further enhance sales and market competitiveness in the coming years.
- Merck's Diversification Strategy: Merck's new Keytruda Qlex has been approved, likely extending patent protection, while new products like Winrevair saw an 88% revenue increase in Q1, demonstrating the company's ongoing competitiveness in the cancer drug market.
- Medtronic's Transformation: Medtronic announced the spin-off of its diabetes care division into a standalone company and launched new products like the Hugo system, which are expected to drive revenue growth and strengthen its position in the medical device market.
- Dividend Appeal: All three companies offer attractive dividend yields, with Bristol Myers at 4.4%, Merck at 3%, and Medtronic at 3.6%, showcasing their stability and appeal for long-term investors.
See More
Boston Scientific Stock Price Decline Analysis
- Poor Stock Performance: Boston Scientific (BSX) shares have fallen over 50% year-to-date, reflecting market disappointment with its growth expectations, particularly as management has repeatedly lowered guidance, undermining investor confidence.
- Guidance Downgrade: The management has revised its 2026 organic revenue growth forecast down to between 6.5% and 8%, and has indicated flat revenue growth for Q2 and Q3, raising concerns about the company's long-term investment appeal amid declining procedure usage.
- Analyst Optimism: Despite the bearish market sentiment, 27 out of 31 analysts still rate the stock as a buy, with a consensus price target of $78 per share, indicating a potential upside of 65%, which reflects analysts' confidence in the company's recovery potential.
- Valuation Challenges: Boston Scientific currently trades at a mid-teen forward valuation, comparable to other medical device firms like Abbott and Medtronic, and achieving a premium valuation will likely require a faster-than-expected recovery in growth, which appears challenging in the current market environment.
See More
Medtronic Acquires Scientia Vascular for $550 Million
- Acquisition Deal Size: Medtronic has acquired medical device company Scientia Vascular for $550 million, including potential milestone payments, which further strengthens its neurovascular portfolio.
- Technological Integration Advantage: The acquisition incorporates Scientia's guidewire and catheter technologies into Medtronic's product line, aiming to improve access in complex cerebral vasculature, thereby enhancing the efficiency of stroke and aneurysm procedures.
- Financial Impact Expectation: Medtronic anticipates that the deal will be minimally dilutive to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in fiscal year 2027, with profitability expected to increase thereafter, indicating the strategic value of the acquisition.
- Market Reaction: Medtronic's shares closed at $80.20 on Friday, down 0.16%, but traded slightly higher at $80.26 in the overnight market, reflecting a cautiously optimistic market response to the acquisition.
See More
Citadel Advisors Increases Stake in Intuitive Surgical Amid Market Challenges
- AI Stock Reduction: Citadel Advisors sold 2.9 million shares of Nvidia and 6 million shares of Amazon in Q1, although both remain among its largest holdings, indicating a strategic shift to reallocate capital into more attractive investment opportunities.
- Healthcare Stake Increase: The firm increased its stake in Intuitive Surgical by 30.3% during the first quarter, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term prospects despite facing multiple challenges from competition, lower-margin products, and tariffs.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Intuitive Surgical is encountering increased competition in the robotic-assisted surgery market from Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson; however, the company maintains a significant lead due to its 26 years of market experience and extensive installed base.
- Profitability Outlook: Despite Intuitive Surgical's high valuation with a forward P/E ratio of 39.7, its revenue and earnings growth outpace peers, and its strong competitive edge in the medical device sector justifies this premium.
See More
Citadel Advisors Increases Stake in Intuitive Surgical Amid Challenges
- Increased Stake: Citadel Advisors raised its stake in Intuitive Surgical by 30.3% in Q1, demonstrating confidence in the company's long-term growth potential despite facing challenges such as increased competition and tariffs.
- Market Competition: Intuitive Surgical is encountering competitive pressure in the robotic-assisted surgery market from companies like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson; however, its 26 years of market experience and strong customer base help maintain its leading position.
- Financial Pressures: Despite relatively strong financial results, Intuitive Surgical's stock has dropped 20% over the past 12 months due to declining product margins and tariff impacts, raising investor concerns about its future performance.
- Long-Term Outlook: Intuitive Surgical is exploring ways to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance its device capabilities, and despite current challenges, its vast market potential and high switching costs provide a solid foundation for future growth.
See More
Three Dividend Stocks Worth Investing In
- Bristol Myers Squibb's Growth Potential: Bristol Myers Squibb's Q1 revenue rose 3% year-over-year to $11.5 billion, with new drug sales increasing 12% to $6.2 billion, indicating a strong recovery in its oncology portfolio that could further enhance sales growth in the future.
- Merck's Product Diversification: Despite competitive pressures, Merck's newer products have an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, with the pulmonary arterial hypertension drug Winrevair generating $525 million in Q1, an impressive 88% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's strong performance in new markets.
- Medtronic's Strategic Restructuring: Medtronic announced the spin-off of its diabetes care division into a standalone public company to enhance overall operational efficiency, while its new Pulse Field Ablation devices are positively impacting revenue growth in recent quarters.
- Attractive Dividend Yields: All three companies offer attractive dividend yields, with Bristol Myers at 4.4%, Merck at 3%, and Medtronic at 3.6%, all of which have significantly increased their dividends over the past decade, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
Three Healthcare Stocks with Dividend Growth Potential
- Bristol Myers' Recovery: Bristol Myers Squibb's Q1 revenue rose 3% year-over-year to $11.5 billion, driven by new drug approvals and sales growth, which are expected to further enhance sales and market competitiveness in the coming years.
- Merck's Diversification Strategy: Merck's new Keytruda Qlex has been approved, likely extending patent protection, while new products like Winrevair saw an 88% revenue increase in Q1, demonstrating the company's ongoing competitiveness in the cancer drug market.
- Medtronic's Transformation: Medtronic announced the spin-off of its diabetes care division into a standalone company and launched new products like the Hugo system, which are expected to drive revenue growth and strengthen its position in the medical device market.
- Dividend Appeal: All three companies offer attractive dividend yields, with Bristol Myers at 4.4%, Merck at 3%, and Medtronic at 3.6%, showcasing their stability and appeal for long-term investors.
See More
Boston Scientific Stock Price Decline Analysis
- Poor Stock Performance: Boston Scientific (BSX) shares have fallen over 50% year-to-date, reflecting market disappointment with its growth expectations, particularly as management has repeatedly lowered guidance, undermining investor confidence.
- Guidance Downgrade: The management has revised its 2026 organic revenue growth forecast down to between 6.5% and 8%, and has indicated flat revenue growth for Q2 and Q3, raising concerns about the company's long-term investment appeal amid declining procedure usage.
- Analyst Optimism: Despite the bearish market sentiment, 27 out of 31 analysts still rate the stock as a buy, with a consensus price target of $78 per share, indicating a potential upside of 65%, which reflects analysts' confidence in the company's recovery potential.
- Valuation Challenges: Boston Scientific currently trades at a mid-teen forward valuation, comparable to other medical device firms like Abbott and Medtronic, and achieving a premium valuation will likely require a faster-than-expected recovery in growth, which appears challenging in the current market environment.
See More
