Merit Medical Elects Scott Ward to Board of Directors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 19 2026
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Source: Newsfilter
- New Board Member: Merit Medical elected Scott Ward to its Board of Directors during the annual shareholder meeting for a three-year term, reflecting the company's emphasis on diverse and experienced leadership.
- Extensive Industry Experience: With over 40 years in the medical device sector, including senior roles at Medtronic, Ward is expected to significantly impact Merit's strategic development and growth trajectory.
- Committee Appointments: Ward has been appointed to the Governance and Sustainability and Finance and Operating Committees, underscoring the company's trust in his strategic insights and decision-making capabilities.
- Commitment to Innovation: Ward expressed respect for Merit's dedication to innovation and patient service, indicating that his contributions will likely enhance the company's long-term growth and market expansion efforts.
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Analyst Views on MMSI
Wall Street analysts forecast MMSI stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 66.940
Low
90.00
Averages
104.63
High
122.00
Current: 66.940
Low
90.00
Averages
104.63
High
122.00
About MMSI
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Its cardiovascular segment consists of four product categories: peripheral intervention, cardiac intervention, custom procedural solutions, and original equipment manufacturer. Its endoscopy segment consists of gastroenterology and pulmonology devices which assist in the palliative treatment of expanding esophageal, tracheobronchial and biliary strictures caused by malignant tumors. Its product portfolio of medical devices and accessories is used in lead management procedures for patients who need a pacemaker, or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead removed or replaced. Its products are used in clinical areas, such as radiology, electrophysiology and more. It also manufactures hemostatic devices under the brand names StatSeal and WoundSeal.
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.
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- New Board Member: Merit Medical elected Scott Ward to its Board of Directors during the annual shareholder meeting for a three-year term, reflecting the company's emphasis on diverse and experienced leadership.
- Extensive Industry Experience: With over 40 years in the medical device sector, including senior roles at Medtronic, Ward is expected to significantly impact Merit's strategic development and growth trajectory.
- Committee Appointments: Ward has been appointed to the Governance and Sustainability and Finance and Operating Committees, underscoring the company's trust in his strategic insights and decision-making capabilities.
- Commitment to Innovation: Ward expressed respect for Merit's dedication to innovation and patient service, indicating that his contributions will likely enhance the company's long-term growth and market expansion efforts.
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- Executive Share Sale: Lynne N. Ward, a director at Merit Medical Systems, sold 5,000 shares in an open market transaction valued at approximately $313,000, indicating a significant reduction in her ownership, with direct holdings decreasing by 39% from 12,809 shares to 7,809 shares.
- Transaction Impact Analysis: This sale marks Ward's only open-market transaction in the past year, reflecting a continued reduction in her holdings, and comes at a time when Merit Medical's stock hit a 52-week low of $59.74 on May 12, raising concerns about the company's growth prospects amid macroeconomic pressures.
- Company Financial Overview: Merit Medical Systems reported a trailing twelve-month revenue of $1.54 billion and a net income of $139.34 million, with a workforce of 7,400 employees; despite facing macroeconomic challenges, the company's focus on innovation and procedural efficiency remains a key competitive advantage in the medical device sector.
- Investor Concerns: Following the sale, Ward retains 7,809 shares, suggesting confidence in the company's long-term outlook, even as the sales guidance shows only a slight increase over the previous year, indicating potential growth deceleration that investors should monitor closely.
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- Conference Participation: Merit Medical will participate in the Bank of America Health Care Conference from May 12-14, 2026, with management scheduled for a fireside chat on May 12 at 3:00 PM PT, highlighting the company's leadership in healthcare technology.
- Live Webcast: The fireside chat will be accessible via the company's investor relations website, allowing global investors to stay updated on the latest developments, which is expected to enhance investor interest and confidence in the company.
- Company Background: Founded in 1987, Merit Medical specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly impacting cardiology, radiology, and oncology.
- Global Team: With over 800 sales and clinical support personnel and approximately 7,600 employees worldwide, Merit Medical demonstrates strong operational capabilities and market reach in the global medical device sector.
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- Revenue Growth: Merit Medical reported total revenue of $381.9 million in Q1 2026, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase, with U.S. sales up 6.8% and international sales up 3%, indicating robust market performance.
- Acquisition Expansion: The company acquired View Point Medical for $140 million, with $90 million paid in cash, which is expected to triple the annual addressable procedure opportunity for its oncology business, enhancing competitive positioning.
- Profitability Improvement: Q1 net income reached $56.7 million, or $0.94 per share, exceeding guidance by $3.7 million, while the non-GAAP operating margin hit 19.7%, marking the highest in the company's history and reflecting effective management execution.
- Future Outlook: The company anticipates total revenue growth of 6.3% to 7.8% for 2026, with non-GAAP EPS projected between $4.01 and $4.15, demonstrating confidence in future growth despite facing tariff and geopolitical risks.
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- Earnings Release Schedule: Merit Medical Systems plans to announce its financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, after market close on April 30, 2026, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Investor Conference Call: On the same day, Merit will hold an investor conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, aimed at sharing financial results and addressing investor inquiries, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Company Background: Founded in 1987, Merit focuses on the development, manufacturing, and distribution of proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, and oncology, showcasing its expertise in healthcare technology.
- Global Workforce: Merit employs approximately 7,600 people worldwide, supported by a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team of over 800 individuals, indicating its extensive reach and service capabilities in the global market.
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