Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,400,000 shares, a growth of 18.9% from the December 31st total of 3,700,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,320,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.3 days.

Intuitive Surgical Stock Performance

Intuitive Surgical stock traded down $8.30 on Friday, reaching $571.88. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,825,083 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,817,004. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $550.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $509.43. The company has a market cap of $203.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 89.22, a PEG ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 1.39. Intuitive Surgical has a twelve month low of $364.17 and a twelve month high of $616.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Amal M. Johnson sold 4,635 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $566.60, for a total transaction of $2,626,191.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,275 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,955,015. This trade represents a 27.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jamie Samath sold 22,903 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.00, for a total transaction of $12,024,075.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 8,757 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,597,425. This represents a 72.34 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 28,843 shares of company stock worth $15,357,560. 0.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Intuitive Surgical

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Intuitive Surgical during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. boosted its position in Intuitive Surgical by 140.0% in the 3rd quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 60 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Intuitive Surgical in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Intuitive Surgical during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Intuitive Surgical during the third quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.64% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on ISRG shares. UBS Group increased their price target on Intuitive Surgical from $500.00 to $560.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Intuitive Surgical from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Leerink Partners boosted their price objective on Intuitive Surgical from $490.00 to $548.00 in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Citigroup raised their target price on Intuitive Surgical from $640.00 to $711.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on Intuitive Surgical from $560.00 to $688.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Intuitive Surgical currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $613.10.

About Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical, Inc develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung.