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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC (MMSI)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- MMSI delivered a strong Q3 2025: revenue $384.2M (+13.0% YoY), constant currency revenue +12.5%, and non-GAAP EPS $0.92 (+6.7% YoY), all ahead of internal expectations; GAAP EPS was $0.46 (-3.0% YoY) .
- Non-GAAP gross margin reached a company record 53.6% (+267 bps YoY), with non-GAAP operating margin of 19.7% (+51 bps YoY); management attributed margin strength to mix, pricing, and lower freight/distribution costs, partially offset by ~90 bps tariff headwind .
- Full-year 2025 guidance was raised: net sales to $1.502–$1.515B (11–12% YoY) and non-GAAP EPS to $3.66–$3.79 (6–10% YoY); Cardiovascular and Endoscopy segment guidance also nudged higher .
- Key catalysts: NTAP for WRAPSODY CIE effective Oct 1 (inpatient), TPT application submitted for OPPS (outpatient) with list price cited at $8,000 (decision expected December; earliest effective Jan 1, 2026), plus continued product milestones (SCOUT 750k patients; Embosphere CE mark for GAE) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Non-GAAP margins expanded: gross margin 53.6% (record), operating margin 19.7%; management highlighted favorable product/geography mix, pricing, and lower freight/distribution costs .
- Revenue and EPS beat internal expectations; organic constant currency growth was 7.8% vs prior high-end of 6%, and non-GAAP EPS exceeded guidance by $0.07 .
- Strategic/product milestones: NTAP effective for WRAPSODY CIE; SCOUT reached 750k patients; Embosphere CE mark for GAE in EU—broadening procedure adoption and portfolio strength .
Management quotes:
- “Merit delivered better-than-expected financial performance in the third quarter, with top and bottom-line results exceeding the high-end of the company’s expectations.” — CEO Martha Aronson .
- “Our gross margin was 53.6%, up 267 basis points year-over-year and representing the highest gross margin in the company’s history.” — CFO Raul Parra .
- “Our application for TPT included Rhapsody’s list price of $8,000.” — CEO Martha Aronson .
What Went Wrong
- GAAP EPS declined to $0.46 (-3.0% YoY) due to higher SG&A and R&D, performance-based stock comp, and other non-cash and regulatory costs; non-GAAP adjustments were material (e.g., amortization of intangibles, performance-based SBC) .
- China softness: sales -1% YoY despite VBP impact improving; OEM demand outside the U.S. remained a macro headwind .
- Tariffs remained a headwind; Q3 higher-than-expected tariff impact led to revising high-end full-year tariff assumption to ~$7.6M (COGS) and low-end assumption to ~$16M, introducing uncertainty into Q4 and FY25 .
Financial Results
Estimates vs Actuals (Wall Street consensus – S&P Global):
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Segment Revenue (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024; Reported and Constant Currency):
KPIs (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024):
Balance Sheet (selected):
- Cash & Equivalents: $392.5M (Sep 30, 2025); Total Debt: $747.5M; Available borrowing capacity ~$697M .
Guidance Changes
Q4 2025 color: constant currency sales growth +5.5% to +9.1%; non-GAAP OM ~18.8% to 20.8%; non-GAAP EPS $0.87–$1.01 .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We have increased our 2025 revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share guidance to reflect the stronger-than-expected third quarter results and remain confident in our team’s ability to deliver strong execution…” — CEO Martha Aronson .
- “Our gross margin was 53.6%, up 267 basis points year-over-year… driven primarily by mix, pricing and freight/distribution expense improvements” — CFO Raul Parra .
- “We believe we meet the required cost criteria. Our application for TPT included Rhapsody’s list price of $8,000.” — CEO Martha Aronson .
- “We now expect to generate free cash flow of at least $175 million in 2025, inclusive of ~$90–$100 million in capex.” — CFO Raul Parra .
Q&A Highlights
- WRAPSODY CIE: Management reiterated confidence in meeting TPT cost criteria and disclosed $8,000 list price; NTAP started Oct 1. Outpatient add-on earliest effective Jan 1, 2026, pending CMS decision .
- Gross margin durability: Kitchen-sink approach via mix, pricing, ops efficiency; acknowledged ~90 bps tariff drag in Q3 but reiterated focus on CGI to sustain margin trajectory .
- Cardiac Intervention strength: Focused sales groups and Cook integration driving EP/CRM and intervention growth; CPS above expectations; OEM ex-U.S. soft .
- China: Soft macro conditions; VBP impact improved; OEM variability expected; no major customer losses noted .
- SG&A uptick: Higher commissions on stronger sales, variable bonus accrual true-up, earlier-than-expected distributor buyout in Europe; continued investment with discipline .
Estimates Context
- Q3 results beat consensus revenue ($384.2M actual vs $371.7M estimate*) and beat consensus EPS ($0.92 non-GAAP actual vs $0.826 estimate*). EBITDA was slightly below consensus ($73.96M actual* vs $76.7M estimate*). Q1 and Q2 also beat revenue and EPS consensus, supporting momentum into Q4 .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Implications: Consensus likely moves up for FY25 revenue and EPS following guidance raise; near-term models should incorporate NTAP contribution, margin strength, and updated tariff assumptions .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Non-GAAP margins continue to trend above plan; record gross margin underscores pricing discipline and favorable mix amid tariff headwinds .
- Guidance raise across revenue, EPS, and operating margin reflects Q3 outperformance; management’s Q4 outlook suggests continued execution, albeit with typical seasonality .
- WRAPSODY CIE reimbursement path is progressing: NTAP live for inpatient; TPT application submitted with supportive pricing; potential outpatient add-on from Jan 2026—key multi-year growth lever .
- Portfolio momentum in Cardiac Intervention, plus milestones in SCOUT and Embosphere GAE, enhance competitive positioning across high-margin categories .
- China remains a watch item; softness tied to macro and OEM ex-U.S.; VBP impact improved—monitor trajectory into 2026 .
- FCF outlook raised to ≥$175M supports continued tuck-ins and internal investments (distribution center, R&D), balancing growth and shareholder value .
- Tariff uncertainty persists, but assumptions refined; models should bracket outcomes using updated high-/low-end scenarios and consider CGI mitigation efforts .
Additional Press Releases (Q3 2025)
- SCOUT Radar Localization reached 750,000 patients globally; expanding adoption and capabilities (SCOUT MD) .
- Embosphere microspheres received CE mark for genicular artery embolization in EU for knee osteoarthritis, with durable pain relief evidence .
Non-GAAP Adjustments and Reconciliations
- Notable Q3 non-GAAP adjustments included amortization of intangibles ($19.2M pre-tax in cost of sales), performance-based SBC ($9.0M pre-tax), and amortization of long-term debt issuance costs ($1.4M pre-tax), among others .