These two could struggle to move higher

Article Excerpt

INTUITIVE SURGICAL $549.36 (Nasdaq symbol ISRG; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (515-507-5000; www.intuitivesurgical.com; Shares outstanding: 39.7 million; Market cap: $21.8 billion; No dividends paid) makes the da Vinci, a computerized surgical system. Guided by a miniature camera connected to a 3-D monitor, surgeons use the da Vinci to operate by remotely manipulating tiny robotic arms. This process is safer and much less invasive than regular surgery, and helps cut a patient’s recovery time and post-operative discomfort. It also reduces scarring and infection risk. In the three months ended March 31, 2012, Intuitive earned $143.5 million, or $3.63 a share. That’s up 37.8% from $104.1 million, or $2.66 a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 27.6%, to $495.2 million from $388.1 million. Intuitive is debt-free, and holds cash of $2.4 billion, or $60.45 a share. Revenue from replenishable supplies rose 32.0%. Intuitive gets almost 40% of its revenue from stable and dependable sales of replacement parts, training and other services. That cuts its risk. International sales keep…