Today’s Change
Current Price
Boston Scientific (BSX -3.39%), a global medical device maker, closed at $48.17, down 3.38%. Premarket reports said a cybersecurity incident disrupted global operations and shipping. The company also announced a product recall for certain types of its percutaneous catheters, further weighing on the stock. Investors are watching how quickly the company restores its systems and whether the recall exacerbates the interruption. Trading volume reached 31.8M shares, coming in about 48% above its three-month average of 21.4M shares.
How the markets moved today
S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.02%) fell 0.04% to 7,675, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC -0.08%) slipped 0.08% to 26,130. Among medical devices and interventional medtech peers, Abbott Laboratories (ABT -1.75%) closed at $114.10, down 1.75%, while Medtronic (MDT +0.97%) finished at $92.01, up 0.95%, as Boston Scientific’s cyber disruption stood out.
What this means for investors
Boston Scientific has seen its stock drop 55% over the last year, and today’s double dose of bad news didn’t help things. The product recall is tied to the company’s ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (NPS) following the FDA’s concerns about the potential separation of the product’s arterial sheath tip.
Making matters worse, the company also disclosed a cybersecurity incident that disrupted its global operations, potentially disrupting the processing and shipping of customers’ orders. Management noted that it was working to restore lost functions but couldn’t yet determine whether the event would have a material impact on BSX shares.
Following several quarters of weaker-than-expected earnings results, disappointing Watchman sales, slashed guidance, and a major acquisition now weighing on Boston Scientific’s balance sheet, the stock has shifted from a steady compounder to more of a turnaround or value type of stock — especially after today’s news. While BSX stock is on my watch list, I’d need to see some type of positive developments before I consider buying.
Josh Kohn-Lindquist has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories and Medtronic. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
