BS
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORP (BSX)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 delivered strong top-line and earnings outperformance: net sales $5.061B (+22.8% reported; +17.4% organic) and adjusted EPS $0.75, both above company guidance ranges; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.53 .
- Segment breadth led by Cardiovascular (+26.8% reported; +23.2% organic) with Watchman (+28%), Farapulse momentum and broad coronary/imaging strength; MedSurg grew +15.7% reported (+7.0% organic) .
- Management raised full-year guidance to 18–19% reported revenue growth (14–15% organic) and adjusted EPS $2.95–$2.99; Q3 guidance: 17–19% reported growth, 12–14% organic, adjusted EPS $0.70–$0.72 .
- Key narrative catalysts: expanded U.S. labeling for Farapulse to persistent AF (7/7), CE mark for Watchman FLX Pro, and tuck-in acquisitions (Intera Oncology, SoniVie) enhancing interventional oncology and RDN optionality .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
-
What Went Well
- Cardiovascular strength: 26.8% reported growth; Electrophysiology sales +94% y/y with accelerated Farapulse uptake and concomitant procedures; Watchman +28% globally .
- Margin execution despite headwinds: adjusted operating margin 27.6% with spend discipline and favorable mix (Farapulse, Watchman) offsetting Acurate charge and tariffs; Q2 free cash flow $1.129B .
- Strategic momentum: FDA expanded Farapulse label to persistent AF; CE mark for Watchman FLX Pro; closed Intera and SoniVie acquisitions .
-
What Went Wrong
- Acurate exit cost: ~$100M adjusted P&L impact (inventory/returns) and ~$130M GAAP-only restructuring/impairment; adjusted gross margin -100 bps y/y partly from write-downs .
- Tariff headwind: full-year expected ~$100M (down from ~$200M in Q1 outlook) primarily impacting H2; margins guided roughly flat vs 2024 .
- Regional/product pockets: EMEA operational growth +1.8% (excluding Acurate +7%); CRM flat-to-low growth with portfolio transition; MedSurg facing low-cost competitors and select supply constraints in Urology .
Financial Results
Segment net sales and growth (Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024):
Regional net sales and growth (Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024):
Versus Wall Street consensus (S&P Global):
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global; actuals otherwise cited above.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our second-quarter results outperformed our expectations, led by our cardiovascular segment… we’re guiding to organic growth of 12–14% for Q3, and raising our full year guidance from 12–14% to 14–15%.”
- “Adjusted operating margin was 27.6%. We now expect full year adjusted operating margin to expand by 75–100 basis points while increasing R&D to fuel durable differentiated revenue growth.”
- “Electrophysiology sales grew 94%, supported by accelerated placements of the Opal mapping system and uptake of concomitant procedures… we recently received expanded labeling in the U.S.”
- “In Watchman, we continue to see considerable physician interest in concomitant procedures, with over 60% of U.S. EPs having performed a concomitant procedure.”
- “Within adjusted P&L, we had inventory charges and sales return reserves related to Acurate totaling approximately $100M… restructuring and intangible impairment charges impacted GAAP-only P&L (~$130M).”
- “We now anticipate a full-year headwind of approximately $100M from tariffs… offset by favorable mix and spend control.”
Q&A Highlights
- Watchman durability and concomitant uptake: 28% global growth; 60% of EP implanters doing concomitant; label update as first-line post-ablation and upcoming Champion data could broaden adoption .
- Gross margin mechanics: ~100M Acurate-related adjusted P&L hit; GAAP charges ~$130M; mix (Watchman, Farapulse) offsetting tariffs to keep FY gross margin roughly flat .
- EP capacity and ASC setting: Proposed ASC rule seen as net positive; initial migration of simpler cases; Farapulse safety/efficiency supports shift without compromising concomitant strategy in hospital setting .
- Renal denervation (SoniVie): Ultrasound modality favored; pivotal in progress; significant TAM over time contingent on reimbursement and clinical milestones .
- Mapping and portfolio breadth: Open mapping strategy (Opal/Faraview), continued catheter iterations (Farapoint H2 2025; Faraflex FHU); aim to be overall EP leader .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025 beat vs S&P Global consensus: adjusted EPS $0.75 vs $0.714* and revenue $5.061B vs $4.974B*; EBITDA slightly below consensus $1.392B vs $1.462B* (mix/headwinds) .
- Management raised FY guidance, implying upward estimate revisions for revenue, EPS, and operating margin; tariff headwind revised to ~$100M could temper gross margin expansion trajectory .
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Broad-based growth continues to outpace markets, led by Cardiovascular and EP; expanded Farapulse labeling and Watchman concomitant drive durable multi-year tailwinds .
- FY 2025 guidance raised across revenue and EPS; Q3 guide remains robust, supporting positive estimate momentum and likely continued multiple support .
- Margin algorithm resilient: adjusted operating margin expansion despite Acurate exit and tariffs; mix (Farapulse/Watchman) remains accretive .
- Concomitant strategy is a differentiated moat: unique combination of Farapulse + Watchman with growing reimbursement support and label expansion .
- Pipeline optionality: Farapoint approval H2 2025, Faraflex, Empower leadless, IVL (Bolt), interventional oncology (Intera), hypertension RDN (SoniVie) expand TAM and sustain premium growth .
- Watch pockets of risk: tariffs (~$100M), EMEA impact from Acurate, low-cost competitors in MedSurg, and CRM portfolio transition; management is actively mitigating via mix and spend controls .
- Near-term trading: Focus on Q3 execution vs raised guide, continued Farapulse/Watchman momentum, any incremental regulatory catalysts (Japan/China labels) and Investor Day updates on LRP .