Danaher faces scrutiny over Masimo merger amid market decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 25 2026
0mins
Should l Buy DHR?
Source: Benzinga
Danaher Corporation's stock has dropped 3.00% and hit a 20-day low amid a broader market decline, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.79% and the S&P 500 down 0.90%.
The decline comes as Danaher is under investigation regarding its planned acquisition of Masimo Corporation for $180 per share, totaling $9.9 billion. Investigators are examining whether the Masimo Board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure a fair process in the merger. This scrutiny could impact investor confidence and the stock's performance in the near term.
The ongoing investigation into the Masimo merger adds uncertainty to Danaher's future, especially as the market reacts negatively to broader economic conditions. Investors will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding this acquisition as it could significantly influence Danaher's stock trajectory.
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Analyst Views on DHR
Wall Street analysts forecast DHR stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 195.220
Low
240.00
Averages
266.18
High
310.00
Current: 195.220
Low
240.00
Averages
266.18
High
310.00
About DHR
Danaher Corporation is a global life sciences and diagnostics innovator. The Company operates through three segments: Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Diagnostics. The Biotechnology segment includes the bioprocessing and discovery and medical businesses and offers a broad range of equipment, consumables and services that are primarily used by customers to advance and accelerate the research, development, manufacture and delivery of biological medicines. The Life Sciences segment offers a broad range of instruments, consumables, services and software that are primarily used by customers to study the basic building blocks of life, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), nucleic acid, proteins, metabolites and cells. The Diagnostics segment offers clinical instruments, consumables, software and services that hospitals, physicians’ offices, reference laboratories and other critical care settings use to diagnose disease and make treatment decisions.
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.
Analysis of Increased Stake in Cardinal Health
- Increased Stake: We purchased 90 shares of Cardinal Health at approximately $217, raising our total holdings to 350 shares and increasing its weight from 1.46% to about 2%, demonstrating confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Market Performance Analysis: Despite the healthcare sector's poor performance this week, Cardinal Health's stock drop is not tied to fundamentals, providing more upside to our $260 price target, reflecting a misunderstanding of the stock by the market.
- Industry Dynamics: The drug distribution sector is under pressure, particularly McKesson, which saw a 5% drop in shares following the announcement of its longtime CFO's retirement, indicating market sensitivity to leadership changes, even though this transition was planned.
- Investment Strategy: We are leveraging our ample cash position to increase our stake in Cardinal Health, replacing our exit from Danaher, which has fallen about 3% since last week, showcasing our ability to flexibly adjust our portfolio amid market fluctuations.
See More
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- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
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- Competitive Pressure: This investment follows Novo losing market share to Eli Lilly, with analysts noting that despite competitive pressures, this move demonstrates the company's commitment to the oral medication market, potentially helping to restore market confidence.
- Supply Assurance: Novo has stated that it has resolved supply issues for Wegovy and has enough product to meet U.S. demand; however, challenges remain in meeting global demand, especially as it seeks to launch in other countries.
- Future Outlook: The construction projects in Ireland are set to be completed gradually between 2027 and 2028, expected to include technological upgrades of existing facilities, further enhancing Novo's competitiveness in the obesity drug market, particularly in its strategic focus on oral medications.
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- Masimo Merger Investigation: Masimo Corporation is set to be acquired by Danaher Corporation for $180 per share, totaling $9.9 billion, with investigations focusing on whether the Masimo Board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure a fair process in the deal.
- IHS Towers Acquisition Review: IHS Towers will be acquired by MTN Group for $8.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.2 billion, with investigations examining whether the IHS Board failed to conduct a fair process, potentially impacting shareholder value.
- VerifyMe Merger Scrutiny: VerifyMe will be acquired by Open World, allowing shareholders to retain a 10% stake post-merger, with investigations looking into whether the VerifyMe Board ensured a fair process, which could affect shareholder interests.
- Great Lakes Acquisition Investigation: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is being acquired by Saltchuk Resources for $17 per share, with a total transaction value of about $1.5 billion, and investigations are assessing whether the Board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure a fair process for shareholders.
See More
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- Strong Industry Position: Cardinal Health serves as a backbone of the U.S. healthcare industry, supplying and distributing medicines and medical products to hospitals, retail pharmacies, and clinics, thereby ensuring its core role in the healthcare supply chain.
- Demographic Tailwind: With the continuous increase in the U.S. population aged 65 and over, Cardinal Health is expected to benefit from this long-term trend, as over 50% of this age group takes four or more medications, driving business growth.
- Market Reaction: Although shares sold off sharply on February 12 due to a logistics company announcing a new tool, the market quickly recognized the overreaction, and the stock rebounded swiftly, demonstrating its economic resilience.
- Attractive Valuation: Despite Cardinal Health's stock gaining about 10% over the past 12 months, it trades at just 21 times 2026 earnings estimates, which remains attractive relative to its historical levels, reflecting its potential for sustained double-digit earnings per share growth.
See More
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- Position Reduction: We sold 200 shares of Danaher at approximately $208 each on Thursday, resulting in a disappointing 7% loss on shares purchased between 2023 and 2025, reflecting our disillusionment with the company's future performance.
- Weak Growth: Despite our hopes for Danaher's bioprocessing business to recover post-COVID, its revenue growth has failed to achieve consistent high single-digit percentages, prompting us to clean up our portfolio to free up space for new opportunities.
- Lack of Confidence in Acquisitions: Our confidence in Danaher's recent acquisition strategy has waned, particularly as the acquisitions of Abcam and Aldevron did not drive performance as expected, deepening our pessimism regarding their acquisition of Masimo.
- Legal Risk Consideration: Given the longstanding legal battle between Apple and Masimo, which could pose additional risks for Danaher in the future, we are more inclined to seek alternative investment opportunities.
See More
Analysis of Increased Stake in Cardinal Health
- Increased Stake: We purchased 90 shares of Cardinal Health at approximately $217, raising our total holdings to 350 shares and increasing its weight from 1.46% to about 2%, demonstrating confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Market Performance Analysis: Despite the healthcare sector's poor performance this week, Cardinal Health's stock drop is not tied to fundamentals, providing more upside to our $260 price target, reflecting a misunderstanding of the stock by the market.
- Industry Dynamics: The drug distribution sector is under pressure, particularly McKesson, which saw a 5% drop in shares following the announcement of its longtime CFO's retirement, indicating market sensitivity to leadership changes, even though this transition was planned.
- Investment Strategy: We are leveraging our ample cash position to increase our stake in Cardinal Health, replacing our exit from Danaher, which has fallen about 3% since last week, showcasing our ability to flexibly adjust our portfolio amid market fluctuations.
See More
Market Recap: Oil Prices Surge, CrowdStrike Upgraded
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 fell on Monday but briefly rebounded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, causing oil prices to spike; WTI crude prices, while off their highs, indicate a defensive market stance.
- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
See More
Novo Nordisk Invests €432 Million to Expand Wegovy Production
- Investment Expansion: Novo Nordisk announced a €432 million ($506 million) investment in Ireland to expand production capacity for the Wegovy pill, aiming to meet future global demand, particularly outside the U.S. market.
- Competitive Pressure: This investment follows Novo losing market share to Eli Lilly, with analysts noting that despite competitive pressures, this move demonstrates the company's commitment to the oral medication market, potentially helping to restore market confidence.
- Supply Assurance: Novo has stated that it has resolved supply issues for Wegovy and has enough product to meet U.S. demand; however, challenges remain in meeting global demand, especially as it seeks to launch in other countries.
- Future Outlook: The construction projects in Ireland are set to be completed gradually between 2027 and 2028, expected to include technological upgrades of existing facilities, further enhancing Novo's competitiveness in the obesity drug market, particularly in its strategic focus on oral medications.
See More
Investigation Alerts for Multiple Company Mergers
- Masimo Merger Investigation: Masimo Corporation is set to be acquired by Danaher Corporation for $180 per share, totaling $9.9 billion, with investigations focusing on whether the Masimo Board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure a fair process in the deal.
- IHS Towers Acquisition Review: IHS Towers will be acquired by MTN Group for $8.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.2 billion, with investigations examining whether the IHS Board failed to conduct a fair process, potentially impacting shareholder value.
- VerifyMe Merger Scrutiny: VerifyMe will be acquired by Open World, allowing shareholders to retain a 10% stake post-merger, with investigations looking into whether the VerifyMe Board ensured a fair process, which could affect shareholder interests.
- Great Lakes Acquisition Investigation: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is being acquired by Saltchuk Resources for $17 per share, with a total transaction value of about $1.5 billion, and investigations are assessing whether the Board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure a fair process for shareholders.
See More
Cardinal Health Added to Watchlist
- Strong Industry Position: Cardinal Health serves as a backbone of the U.S. healthcare industry, supplying and distributing medicines and medical products to hospitals, retail pharmacies, and clinics, thereby ensuring its core role in the healthcare supply chain.
- Demographic Tailwind: With the continuous increase in the U.S. population aged 65 and over, Cardinal Health is expected to benefit from this long-term trend, as over 50% of this age group takes four or more medications, driving business growth.
- Market Reaction: Although shares sold off sharply on February 12 due to a logistics company announcing a new tool, the market quickly recognized the overreaction, and the stock rebounded swiftly, demonstrating its economic resilience.
- Attractive Valuation: Despite Cardinal Health's stock gaining about 10% over the past 12 months, it trades at just 21 times 2026 earnings estimates, which remains attractive relative to its historical levels, reflecting its potential for sustained double-digit earnings per share growth.
See More
Exiting Danaher Position with 7% Loss
- Position Reduction: We sold 200 shares of Danaher at approximately $208 each on Thursday, resulting in a disappointing 7% loss on shares purchased between 2023 and 2025, reflecting our disillusionment with the company's future performance.
- Weak Growth: Despite our hopes for Danaher's bioprocessing business to recover post-COVID, its revenue growth has failed to achieve consistent high single-digit percentages, prompting us to clean up our portfolio to free up space for new opportunities.
- Lack of Confidence in Acquisitions: Our confidence in Danaher's recent acquisition strategy has waned, particularly as the acquisitions of Abcam and Aldevron did not drive performance as expected, deepening our pessimism regarding their acquisition of Masimo.
- Legal Risk Consideration: Given the longstanding legal battle between Apple and Masimo, which could pose additional risks for Danaher in the future, we are more inclined to seek alternative investment opportunities.
See More
