Medtronic PLC

Medtronic reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $9.76 billion, up 13.7% from a year earlier, and raised its full-year outlook, with adjusted diluted EPS climbing 15.1% to $1.45 and GAAP EPS rising 40.7% to $1.14. Management now expects organic revenue growth of 7.25%-7.75% for fiscal 2027, up from 6.75%-7.25% previously, and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $5.94-$6.00. The quarter included an extra selling week that added about $570 million to revenue, so the headline growth rate should not be expected to repeat. Cardiovascular delivered strong growth, while Neuroscience, Medical Surgical and Diabetes also posted high-single-digit or double-digit organic growth. At a share price of around $89-$90, the stock trades at roughly 15 times the midpoint of the adjusted EPS forecast, versus about 22 times trailing earnings, while paying a quarterly dividend of $0.72 per share, or $2.88 a year, for a yield of roughly 3.2%-3.3%. Medtronic is also expanding its Affera cardiac mapping and ablation system, investing in Pi-Cardia and Cornerstone Robotics, and has acquired Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics, with a planned separation of its Diabetes business.

Medtronic announced that the American Medical Association has approved new Category I Current Procedural Terminology codes for two of its technologies, the Altaviva implantable tibial neuromodulation device for urge urinary incontinence and the Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension. The new codes, which replace existing Category III codes, take effect in January 2028. Category I codes are permanent codes assigned to procedures the AMA deems well established, widely performed across the United States, and supported by robust clinical evidence, and while they can help support physician payment and inform commercial payer coverage decisions, they do not determine coverage, reimbursement, clinical superiority, or patient access. The Altaviva device was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2025 for urge urinary incontinence, a condition affecting 16 million adults in the United States, and is placed under the skin near the ankle in a minimally invasive procedure. The Symplicity Spyral system was finalized for Medicare coverage in October 2025, and Medtronic said its SPYRAL HTN global clinical program is the most comprehensive studying renal denervation, with more than 5,000 patients and experience in over 40,000 patients globally.

Orchestra BioMed Holdings has surpassed full enrollment in the BACKBEAT Global Pivotal Trial of AVIM Therapy, with 330 patients randomized as of September 30, 2026, exceeding the previously announced target of 316. The trial is evaluating Atrioventricular Interval Modulation Therapy in pacemaker-indicated patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite medication, and is being conducted with Medtronic, the company's strategic collaborator for the trial and, subject to regulatory approval, for commercialization of AVIM Therapy. Enrollment reached 330 patients at 81 sites across 13 countries, while the FDA-approved protocol specifies 284 evaluable randomized subjects for the primary endpoint analysis, with the 316-patient target accounting for potential loss to follow-up. Orchestra BioMed reiterated prior guidance that primary endpoint data will be submitted for late-breaking presentation consideration at a major cardiovascular conference in the second quarter of 2027, and assuming positive results, Medtronic plans to submit AVIM Therapy marketing applications to the FDA and other global regulatory agencies promptly. The trial's primary efficacy endpoint is the between-group difference in the change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure at three-month follow-up from pre-randomization baseline, and the protocol-specified sample size provides greater than 90% statistical power to detect a between-group difference of at least 5 mmHg.

The global disposable medical device sensors market is projected to grow from USD 11.86 billion in 2026 to USD 16.13 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, according to a new ResearchAndMarkets.com report. Growth is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases, remote patient monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, wearable devices, home healthcare, and infection-prevention needs. By type, biosensors currently hold the largest share of the market, while strip sensors are expected to capture the largest share over the forecast period. The United States is expected to record the highest CAGR within North America, supported by advanced healthcare infrastructure and high adoption of innovative medical technologies. Key players profiled include Abbott Laboratories, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Medtronic, and GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

Medtronic plc raised its fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth outlook to between 7.25% and 7.75%, up from previous guidance of 6.75% to 7.25%, following an impressive first quarter. CEO Geoff Martha pointed to ongoing strength in core segments including Cranial and Spinal Technologies, Surgical, and Cardiac Rhythm Management, alongside momentum in high-growth bets such as Hugo robotic surgery, Symplicity, Altaviva, Affera, and Stealth AXiS. The company also entered a $700 million partnership with Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics that gives Medtronic distribution rights to the Sentire Surgical System, Cornerstone's robotic-assisted platform, in select markets outside the U.S. where it is approved; Sentire has received market approval in China, the European Union, and Singapore for general, gynecologic, thoracic, and urologic procedures. Medtronic's first-quarter organic revenue growth of 13.7% included a one-time benefit from an additional fiscal week that added $570 million to the topline and is not expected to recur. Hedge fund holdings in the stock rose to 67 in the second quarter of 2026 from 60 at the end of the first quarter, according to 13F filing data tracked by Insider Monkey.

Medtronic agreed a US$700 million partnership with Cornerstone Robotics to distribute the Sentire surgical system globally, expanding its surgical robotics presence beyond its existing platforms into a new multi-country distribution arrangement. The deal makes Medtronic a multi-platform player alongside its own Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, giving hospitals in Europe, China and Singapore a broader menu of robotics options at different price points. Medtronic also partnered with Sonus Microsystems on AI-powered wearable ultrasound technology for maternal health programs in Kenya. Medtronic is a US-based medical equipment group with a market value of about US$113.4b. Investors will watch how quickly the Sentire and Hugo systems translate into procedure volumes and installed bases in Europe, China and Singapore over the next 12 to 24 months, along with study milestones from the Kenya maternal health program, particularly data readouts on preeclampsia screening performance.

The global medical robots market is projected to grow from USD 20.6 billion in 2026 to USD 41.7 billion by 2031, a 15.1% compound annual growth rate, according to a new report added to ResearchAndMarkets.com. Robotic systems are expected to account for the largest share of the market by product and service, while surgical robotic systems, which led by type in 2025, are expected to see significant growth as surgical volumes rise. Ambulatory surgery centers are projected to register the highest end-user growth rate, and Asia Pacific is positioned as the fastest-growing regional market. Key players profiled include Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson. The report notes that high system and maintenance costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and specialized training needs may limit adoption.

Novo Nordisk will shorten its name to Novo and update its logo, with its trademark bull shifting to face right, as the Danish drugmaker battles Eli Lilly for dominance in the obesity-drug market. CEO Mike Doustdar is pushing to make Novo leaner and more competitive, and the company will detail its updated corporate strategy at a Capital Markets Day on September 21 in London. Separately, Eli Lilly said the U.S. FDA granted full approval for an all-oral regimen combining its estrogen receptor antagonist Inluriyo and kinase inhibitor Verzenio as a late-line option for adults with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation whose disease progressed after one or more prior endocrine therapies. GE HealthCare Technologies is in advanced talks to acquire Sofie Biosciences for about $1 billion, a deal that would expand its presence in radioactive diagnostic agents used with medical scans, according to the Financial Times. Summit Therapeutics said ivonescimab reduced the risk of death by 27% versus Merck's Keytruda in a late-stage lung cancer trial, with median overall survival of 30.8 months versus 22.6 months. Medtronic launched an exchange offer to split off at least 80.1% of MiniMed Group, allowing shareholders to exchange ordinary shares for MiniMed common stock at a 7% discount.

Medtronic received FDA clearance for its LigaSure vessel-sealing device on the Hugo robotic surgery system in the United States. The authorization allows LigaSure to be used on the Hugo platform for soft-tissue procedures in U.S. hospitals and surgical centers, integrating a widely used vessel-sealing tool with Medtronic's robotic-assisted surgery platform for general surgery use. The clearance ties a familiar energy device into a newer robotic platform, helping Hugo look less like an isolated project and more like part of a multi-platform ecosystem as Medtronic competes with peers such as Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson. Medtronic's US$118.7 billion scale in medical equipment gives it a broad installed base where new tools on the Hugo robotic system can plug into existing surgical workflows. The unresolved piece is scale, as analysts have already flagged execution risks in major product ramp-ups and the approval does not yet answer how quickly hospitals will adopt Hugo for a wider mix of soft-tissue procedures.

Medtronic raised the lower end of its fiscal 2027 profit forecast and lifted its revenue growth outlook, citing strong demand for heart devices used in complex cardiovascular procedures. The Ireland-based company raised the lower end of its adjusted per-share profit forecast to $5.94 from $5.90 while keeping the upper end at $6.00, against an analyst average of $5.95, and now expects annual organic revenue growth of 7.25% to 7.75%, up from 6.75% to 7.25% previously. First-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue reached $9.756 billion, up 13.7% both reported and organically, beating the $9.55 billion analyst consensus, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.45 topping the $1.39 estimate. Growth was broad-based across segments, with Cardiovascular revenue up 19.5%, Diabetes up 16.9%, Neuroscience up 10.3%, and Medical Surgical up 10.0%, though Medtronic said about $570 million of the quarter's growth came from an extra week in the reporting period. The guidance still includes the diabetes business, which Medtronic has said it may fully separate before fiscal year-end, though CFO Thierry Pieton said the company is not under pressure to rush that timeline.

Medtronic plc reported fiscal first-quarter 2027 revenue of nearly $9.8 billion, up 13.7% organically, while non-GAAP diluted EPS rose 15.1% to $1.45. The company raised its full-year organic revenue-growth forecast to 7.25%-7.75% from 6.75%-7.25% and lifted the lower end of its non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance to $5.94 from $5.90. Cardiovascular revenue increased 18.9% organically to $3.927 billion, with Cardiac Ablation Solutions up 88%, while Neuroscience grew 9.3% and Medical Surgical increased 10.2%. The quarter included an extra fiscal week that Medtronic estimates benefited organic growth by approximately $570 million, and non-GAAP operating margin rose only 10 basis points to 23.7%. Medtronic also committed $700 million to Cornerstone Robotics for distribution rights to its Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the United States and agreed to invest up to $80 million in Pi-Cardia, with an option to acquire the company for up to $210 million, as it proceeds with the separation of its diabetes division by the end of the year.

Medtronic reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter revenue of $9.8 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.45, both ahead of expectations, and raised its full-year organic revenue growth guidance to 7.25% to 7.75%, a 50 basis point increase from prior guidance. The quarter benefited from an extra selling week, which contributed approximately $570 million or 670 basis points to total organic enterprise revenue growth. Cardiac Rhythm Management delivered 15% global growth, Cranial & Spinal Technologies grew 13%, and Surgical grew 9%. Cardiac Ablation Solutions surged 88% worldwide, surpassing $2 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue. The company also announced strategic investments in Cornerstone Robotics and Pi-Cardia, and expects fiscal 2027 EPS of $5.94 to $6.00.

Intuitive Surgical's Ion robotic platform is becoming a significant second growth engine alongside its core da Vinci franchise, with second-quarter 2026 procedures up 36% year over year to 48,000. Cumulative Ion procedures have surpassed 400,000, and the installed base has grown 21% annually, now available in 12 countries outside the U.S. The platform targets lung cancer diagnosis, a market with robust growth potential, and management is investing in technologies like ROSE and EBUS to expand its clinical utility. Meanwhile, Medtronic's Cardiac Ablation Solutions sales grew 88% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, and Boston Scientific plans to launch FARAPULSE Ultra at scale in 2027, with the Penumbra acquisition expected to close in the second half of 2027. Intuitive Surgical shares have fallen 35.3% this year, trading at a forward P/E of 31.71X, below its five-year median of 68.26X, with 2026 earnings expected to rise 20.3%.

A new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com projects the global surgical robots market will grow from USD 10.6 billion in 2026 to USD 22.9 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of about 8.9%. The expansion is driven by demand for minimally invasive surgery, AI integration, and compact systems that lower capital costs. North America is expected to lead the market, while Asia-Pacific is forecast to see the fastest growth. Key players include Intuitive Surgical, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Stryker. Recent developments include Medtronic's FDA clearance for its Hugo system in urology and a partnership between Ronovo Surgical and Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai.

In a notable earnings week, seven of eight key S&P 500 companies beat consensus EPS estimates, with all eight posting year-over-year profit growth, though revenue performance was mixed. Dell Technologies jumped 15.81% after reporting a 58% revenue increase to $46.97 billion and adjusted EPS of $7.04, driven by AI server demand, and guided third-quarter revenue to $49 billion. Palo Alto Networks slipped 9.28% despite beating estimates with revenue up 34% to $3.41 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.02, while issuing an optimistic forecast. Medtronic rose 1.53% after revenue grew 13.8% to $9.76 billion and raised its full-year guidance. Broadcom dropped 2.7% on lower-than-expected Q4 revenue guidance despite strong Q3 results with revenue up 86% to $29.59 billion. Lululemon shares fell nearly 20% after cutting its full-year sales forecast to $10.35B-$10.50B, down from $11.0B-$11.50B, due to declining China sales. Brown-Forman gained 3.87% on mixed results, NetApp rose 2.55% despite a free cash flow drop, and Campbell's fell 6.96% after missing revenue estimates and cutting its dividend by 36%.

Medtronic plc's shares rose 1.5% after reporting first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues of $9,756 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,470.48 million. MiniMed Group Inc. shares jumped 10.7% after posting first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues of $843 million, beating the estimate of $828 million. NIO Inc. shares tumbled 4% after reporting second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $4,736.39 million, missing the estimate of $4,780.55 million. Apple Inc. shares gained 2.6% after John Ternus, its former senior vice president of hardware engineering, became the new CEO, succeeding Tim Cook after 15 years.

Medtronic reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings per share of $1.45, up 15.1% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.32%, while revenues rose 13.7% to $9.76 billion, surpassing expectations by 3.02%. The company raised its fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth outlook to 7.25%-7.75% from 6.75%-7.25% and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $5.94-$6.00 from $5.90-$6.00. Cardiovascular led segment growth with a 19.5% reported increase, while Neuroscience, Medical Surgical, and Diabetes also posted strong organic gains. Medtronic completed acquisitions of Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics, and announced a strategic partnership with Cornerstone Robotics and an investment in Pi-Cardia. Shares rose nearly 5% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

Medtronic raised its fiscal 2027 outlook after first-quarter revenue rose 13.7% to $9.8 billion and adjusted EPS reached $1.45, beating expectations. The company now expects 7.25%–7.75% organic revenue growth and adjusted EPS of $5.94–$6.00 for the full year. Cardiovascular led operating momentum, with revenue up 19% and Cardiac Ablation Solutions surging 88% globally and 139% in the U.S., driven by Sphere-9 and Affera adoption. CRM also grew 15% and gained global market share. Medtronic continues investing in growth, including its Hugo surgical-robotics platform and a $700 million Cornerstone Robotics agreement, while maintaining plans to separate its MiniMed diabetes business before fiscal year-end. Excluding diabetes would improve gross and operating margins but modestly reduce companywide growth.

Medtronic plc has announced a partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, committing about US$700 million to secure distribution rights for Cornerstone's Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the U.S., where it will complement Medtronic's Hugo robotic-assisted surgery platform. This move broadens Medtronic's robotic surgery offerings, providing hospitals and surgeons with more choices across complementary platforms that integrate into the company's connected surgical ecosystem, potentially boosting adoption of minimally invasive procedures. The partnership adds to Medtronic's investment narrative, which already includes a US$0.72 quarterly dividend and 49 consecutive years of increases, highlighting a balance between innovation spending and shareholder returns. However, the deal does not fundamentally alter the main risk that large new platforms may scale slower or cost more than expected. Medtronic's narrative projects US$41.5 billion revenue and US$6.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 4.5% yearly revenue growth and a roughly US$1.8 billion earnings increase from US$4.8 billion today, with a fair value estimate of US$98.00, an 8% upside to its current price.

Medtronic reported first-quarter earnings of $1.45 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39 and up from $1.26 a year ago, marking a 4.32% surprise. Revenues reached $9.76 billion, beating estimates by 3.02% and rising from $8.58 billion in the prior year. The company has exceeded consensus EPS and revenue estimates in each of the last four quarters. Management's commentary on the earnings call will likely influence near-term stock movement, with shares down 5.6% year-to-date versus the S&P 500's 12.3% gain. The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $1.35 on $9.47 billion in revenues, and for the full fiscal year it is $5.94 on $38.64 billion. Medtronic holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating expectations of in-line performance with the market.

Medtronic reported first quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $9.8 billion, up 13.7% as reported and organically, and raised its full-year guidance. The company's non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.45 beat expectations, while GAAP EPS was $1.14. Medtronic now expects fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth of 7.25% to 7.75%, up from prior guidance of 6.75% to 7.25%, and non-GAAP EPS of $5.94 to $6.00. Growth was broad-based, with the Cardiovascular portfolio up 18.9% organically, Neuroscience up 9.3%, Medical Surgical up 10.2%, and Diabetes up 14.9%. The company also announced strategic investments and partnerships, including an investment in Pi-Cardia and a partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, and completed acquisitions of Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics.

Medtronic is scheduled to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings on September 1 after markets close, with analysts expecting strong growth. The consensus EPS estimate is $1.39, a 10.3% year-over-year increase, while revenue is expected to rise 12.2% to $9.54 billion. Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen 11 upward revisions and 7 downward moves, while revenue estimates have seen 15 upward and 4 downward adjustments, indicating bullish sentiment. Management guided first-quarter organic revenue growth between 11.5% and 12%, and full-year growth of 6.75% to 7.25%, with fiscal 2027 earnings in the range of $5.90 to $6.00. The company also anticipates a tariff impact on cost of goods sold of $75 million in the first quarter, leading to an annual impact of $250 million. Analysts will focus on the performance of its cardiac ablation solutions, which surged 78% year-over-year globally last quarter, and on any revisions to guidance and the timing of the MiniMed disposal.

Intuitive Surgical's surging cash generation is giving it a meaningful competitive edge as the robotic surgery leader doubles down on innovation. First-half 2026 free cash flow jumped 71% year over year to $1.8 billion, while cash and investments reached $8.6 billion, providing ample financial flexibility to fund research, manufacturing expansion and shareholder returns without compromising growth initiatives. Management is using that financial strength to widen its technology moat, intentionally growing R&D faster than SG&A, expanding manufacturing capacity, and rolling out more than 100 planned updates for the da Vinci 5 platform. The company is also advancing next-generation programs, including a flexible robotic GI endoscope, while supporting innovation across AI, robotics, imaging and advanced materials. Alongside these investments, ISRG repurchased $379 million of stock during the quarter, underscoring confidence in its long-term outlook. Among peers, Boston Scientific delivered another solid quarter with second-quarter 2026 revenues rising 7.5% to $5.44 billion and adjusted EPS climbing 15% to 86 cents, though management trimmed its full-year outlook due to WATCHMAN and electrophysiology pressures. Medtronic secured an expanded CE Mark for the Affera Mapping and Ablation System with the Sphere-9 catheter to treat ventricular arrhythmias, making it the first all-in-one mapping and ablation, dual-energy catheter approved in Europe for ventricular ablation, and also received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the technology. ISRG shares have lost 34.6% year-to-date compared with the industry's decline of 6.9%, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings implies a 20.3% improvement from the year-ago period.

The global atrial fibrillation treatment devices market is projected to grow from USD 9.6 billion in 2026 to USD 29.0 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%, according to a new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market expansion is driven by the rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation, an aging population, and increasing adoption of advanced ablation and left atrial appendage closure technologies. Ablation catheters are expected to account for approximately 75% of market revenue, while the left atrial appendage closure segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4%, the fastest among device types. Pulsed field ablation is forecast to generate more than 60% of total market revenue by 2035. North America is projected to retain close to 50% of global revenue, while Asia-Pacific is expected to register the fastest regional growth. Key players include Abbott, AtriCure, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic.

Danaher and Medtronic are both showing signs of recovery, but their paths differ sharply. Medtronic reported its highest annual revenue growth in 10 years in fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026, with Q4 revenue reaching $9.8 billion, up 9.9% as reported and 6.6% organic, and full-year revenue of $36.4 billion, up 8.4% as reported and 5.8% organic. Danaher, meanwhile, cut the upper end of its full-year core revenue growth outlook to 4% from 6%, while maintaining the lower end at 3%, citing weaker respiratory testing revenue. Hedge fund ownership declined for both stocks between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, with Danaher falling from 125 funds to 110 and Medtronic from 63 to 60.

Medtronic plc's board of directors approved a cash dividend of $0.72 per ordinary share for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027. The dividend is payable on October 16, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 25, 2026. This quarterly declaration is consistent with the dividend increase announced in June 2026. Medtronic has increased its annual dividend payment for 49 consecutive years and is a constituent of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index.

A federal jury ordered Medtronic to pay US$88,000,000 in compensatory damages over injuries linked to Covidien hernia mesh, while Medtronic Canada received Health Canada approval for its Affera Integrated Mapping and Ablation System for treating atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The record-setting mesh verdict sharpens attention on legal and manufacturing risks, but the near-term investment focus still centers on execution in Cardiac Ablation Solutions and other growth platforms. The new Health Canada licence deepens Medtronic's footprint in atrial fibrillation treatment by adding a second pulsed field ablation option alongside PulseSelect, which could influence catheter utilization and procedure volumes if adoption continues. Medtronic's narrative projects $41.5 billion revenue and $6.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 4.5% yearly revenue growth and about a $1.8 billion earnings increase from $4.8 billion today. Some of the lowest ranked analysts were already assuming slower growth, with revenue around US$38.6 billion and earnings of about US$6.2 billion by 2029, and this latest mesh verdict could reinforce that more cautious view if concerns about legal and execution risks in CAS and other platforms start to broaden.

Medtronic has received Health Canada approval for its Affera Integrated Mapping System and Sphere-9 Catheter for treating atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The licence allows commercial use of Medtronic's combined pulse field and radiofrequency ablation technologies across Canada. The Affera system provides physicians with an all-in-one mapping and ablation platform aimed at supporting procedural efficiency and patient care. The approval marks a milestone for Medtronic's Cardiac Ablation Solutions division in the global atrial fibrillation treatment market.

Abbott Laboratories beat fiscal second-quarter estimates and raised its full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance to a range of $5.45 to $5.60, up from $5.38 to $5.58, driven by a 42% surge in diagnostics sales to $3.09 billion. Medtronic reported its highest annual revenue growth in ten years, with fiscal 2026 revenue reaching $36.4 billion, up 8.4% as reported, as newer platforms like Symplicity Spyral, now annualizing at approximately $100 million, gained traction. Abbott reaffirmed its full-year comparable sales growth outlook of 6.5% to 7.5%, while Medtronic faces an estimated $250 million tariff headwind in fiscal 2027. Hedge fund ownership of Abbott rose to 73 funds in the first quarter of 2026, while Medtronic's declined to 60.

Orchestra BioMed announced that its BACKBEAT global pivotal trial, conducted in collaboration with Medtronic, is on track to reach its target of 284 evaluable randomized patients by the end of the third quarter of 2026, with primary data presentation targeted for the second quarter of 2027. The company reported a cash balance of $110 million as of June 30, 2026, providing projected runway into the fourth quarter of 2027, following $35 million in strategic capital from Medtronic and Ligand during the quarter. AVIM Therapy received a second FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, now covering both the broad group of patients with uncontrolled hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk and the pacemaker-indicated group studied in the BACKBEAT Trial. The Virtue pivotal trial for coronary in-stent restenosis is advancing with further site activations and patient enrollments. Orchestra BioMed will host an R&D Day on November 12, 2026, in New York City to review both programs.

UBS upgraded Medtronic to Buy from Neutral, telling investors a turnaround is underway at the medical-device company. The upgrade follows Medtronic's report of its highest annual revenue growth in 10 years, with fiscal Q4 revenue reaching $9.8 billion, up 9.9% as reported and 6.6% organic, and full-year fiscal 2026 revenue of $36.4 billion, up 8.4% as reported and 5.8% organic. Cardiac Ablation Solutions revenue rose 78% globally, including 124% U.S. growth, and the Symplicity Spyral hypertension platform is now annualizing at $100 million. Management noted tariffs created a $74 million headwind in the quarter and expects a roughly $250 million impact in fiscal 2027, while guiding for organic revenue growth of 6.75% to 7.25% for the year.

Medtronic has received an expanded CE Mark indication for its Affera Mapping and Ablation System and Sphere-9 Catheter, allowing treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. The Sphere-9 catheter also holds a Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. FDA, underscoring its potential clinical impact. This broader regulatory clearance could strengthen Medtronic's position in cardiac arrhythmia care across international markets, though it represents a step in a longer commercialization path rather than an immediate shift in the overall business mix.

Medtronic’s stock could rise more than 40% from its current price of $86 to hit a high-end Wall Street target of $121 by the end of 2026, according to a Motley Fool analysis. The medical device maker’s shares have slumped over 30% in the past five years amid higher costs, supply chain issues, and competitive pressure, but its restructuring efforts are gaining traction. In fiscal 2026, revenue grew 8.4% to $36.4 billion, marking its strongest top-line growth in a decade, while analysts project earnings per share to grow at a compound annual rate of 13% through fiscal 2029. The company recently spun off its diabetes unit as MiniMed and is expanding higher-margin cardiovascular and neuroscience portfolios while integrating AI into surgical planning. Even at $121, the stock would trade at just 18 times next year’s earnings and offers a 3.3% forward dividend yield, with a potential Dividend King milestone next year if it raises its payout for the 50th consecutive year.

A new mini-documentary series by Nicely Done Productions reveals the hidden infrastructure of modern life, hosted on National Geographic's global digital platform. The series, Threads of Connectivity, follows five companies building the systems that keep modern life moving, with each episode focusing on a global company solving a critical problem. Boldyn Networks is delivering 5G across Rome's metro serving 18 million people in what it calls the largest smart city connectivity project ever built in Italy, while Medtronic is advancing spine surgery through its AiBLE smart ecosystem. Genesys is redesigning customer service around agentic AI as Europe writes new rules for responsible AI, Carrier is turning homes into intelligent energy systems to reduce grid strain, and OATI builds software to keep the grid stable as renewables and electric vehicles flood networks worldwide. The series is available on NatGeo.com.