ISRG vs. SYK: Which Robotic-Device Innovator Is a Better Buy?

Core Insights - Robotic-assisted surgery is becoming essential in modern healthcare, with Intuitive Surgical and Stryker leading the market [1][2] - Both companies are heavily investing in innovation and global expansion, making them attractive for investors [2] Market Position and Differentiation - Intuitive Surgical pioneered robotic surgery with the da Vinci platform, while Stryker entered the market through the acquisition of Mako Surgical [3] - Intuitive holds nearly 80% of global surgical robotics volume, contrasting with Stryker's focus on orthopedic robotics with over 1.5 million Mako procedures [4] Revenue & Growth Trends - Intuitive's Q1 2025 revenues increased by 19% to $2.25 billion, with da Vinci procedures growing by 17$3.89 billion in Q4 2024, while Orthopaedics climbed by 10.8% to $2.55 billion [5] - The global robotic surgery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% through 2029, driven by minimally invasive trends and aging populations [6] Estimates Comparison for ISRG & SYK - Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISRG's fiscal 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year improvement of 15.6% and 7.1% respectively [7] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stryker's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year improvement of 8.6% and 10.4% respectively [10] Innovation Driving Growth - Intuitive Surgical is investing in next-generation platforms like the Ion endoluminal system for robotic bronchoscopy [12] - Stryker is enhancing its Mako SmartRobotics suite with AI-driven 3D CT planning and AccuStop haptic feedback [13] Price Performance & Valuation - Year-to-date price performance shows ISRG shares have lost 1.5%, while SYK shares have gained 1.8% [15] - Intuitive Surgical's dominance and sustainable revenue growth position it well, while Stryker's innovations fuel growth in the joint-replacement robotics niche [17] Zacks Rank & Style Score - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), complicating the investment decision [18] - ISRG's style score of 'F' indicates expensive valuation and low growth potential, while SYK's style score of 'C' suggests strong growth prospects [19]