Intuitive Surgical 2Q Earnings Pregame Scorecard

Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) has beaten estimates for five straight quarters and will go for a sixth when it reports again on Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Expectations

Analysts currently expect Intuitive Surgical to come in with earnings of $3.52 per share on revenues of $523 million. Analysts gave estimates ranging from $3.37 per share to $3.64 per share. Over the past week, the average estimate has moved down from $3.53.

Last Quarter's Results

In the first quarter, profit rose 37.8% to $143.5 million ($3.50 a share) from $104.1 million ($2.59 a share) the year earlier, exceeding analyst expectations. Revenue rose 27.6% to $495.2 million from $388.1 million.

Stock Ratings

Analysts think investors should stand pat on Intuitive Surgical with eight of 13 analysts rating it hold. Analyst sentiment has been waning recently, as the average rating has dropped slightly over the past three months.

Stock Movement

The stock fell $20.09 per share between May 31, 2012 and June 1, 2012. Looking at change over the last three months, April 18, 2012 and July 13, 2012, the stock price fell $44.48 (-7.6%), from $584.52 to $540.04.

Company Fundamental Trends The company enters this earnings announcement with substantial revenue momentum. The company has averaged year-over-year revenue growth of 26.6% over the last four quarters. The impending earnings announcement offers the opportunity expand on positive earnings momentum gained over last three quarters. Net income rose 41.3% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and 24.8% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year before increasing again in the first quarter.

Summary

Reporting Period: 2Q

Date of Release: Thursday, July 19, 2012

EPS: $3.52

Revenue Estimate: $523 million

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)