Topic: Growth Stocks

Stock Pickers Digest Hotline – Friday, July 24, 2009

Article Excerpt

INTUITIVE SURGICAL, $222.53, symbol ISRG on Nasdaq, jumped almost 31% this week after it reported improved results in the latest quarter. Intuitive 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 is safer and far less invasive than regular surgical techniques, and helps cut a patient’s recovery time and post-operative discomfort. It also reduces scarring and infection risk. The da Vinci system is used in heart surgeries, prostatectomies and hysterectomies, among other procedures. In the three months ended June 30, 2009, Intuitive’s revenue rose 18.9%, to $260.6 million from $219.2 million a year earlier. Earnings climbed 21.9%, to $62.4 million, or $1.65 a share, from $51.2 million, or $1.32 a share. These results beat analysts’ expectations of $1.25 a share in profits on revenue of $230 million. Intuitive’s overall revenue was lifted by a 30.2% increase in instruments and accessories…