Credit: Shares of Mazor Robotics Ltd.MZOR , rallied to a new 52-week high of $49.64 on Sep 1, eventually closing a little lower at $49.23. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
This Israel-based developer of robotic technology and products has a market cap of roughly $920 million and average volume of shares traded in the last three months is around 400.2K. The company has an expected long-term earnings per share growth of around 7.9%.
Mazor Robotics has outperformed the industry over the past year. The company's shares have moved up 121.5% during this period, compared with the industry's 6.3% gain.
Strategic Partnership with Medtronic
Last Wednesday, Mazor Robotics announced that it has amended its strategic partnership with Medtronic plc MDT . Per the amendment, the duo entered the next phase of the agreement earlier than was expected. Medtronic would assume the exclusive worldwide distribution of the Mazor X system and made $40-million third tranche investment in Mazor Robotics.
Growing Installations at Mazor Systems
In the last reported quarter, the company had received purchase orders for 19 surgical guidance systems which include 16 Mazor X systems and 3 Renaissance systems. Of these, 7 were for Mazor X from customers, primarily from a major U.S. hospital corporation. Two out of three Renaissance systems orders received were sold internationally to distribution partners in Australia and Thailand. Mazor Robotic's system backlog at the end of the second quarter reached 14. On a global basis, the company ended the second quarter with 170 systems installed worldwide with 113 of these in the United States.
Solid Revenue Growth in Second Quarter
Mazor Robotics reported total revenue of $15.5 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12 million. Notably, revenues marked an 87% increase on a year-over-year basis. The solid performance was driven by positive factors like strong sales order, pipeline for the new Mazor X system and the continued utilization of the Renaissance installed base.
Favorable Regulatory Developments
Earlier this year, the company announced the receipt of FDA clearance for its Mazor X Align software. The software is designed to assist surgeons in planning spinal deformity correction and spinal alignment for procedures performed with the Mazor X Surgical Assurance Platform.
Considering this development, we are encouraged by opportunities in the global spine surgery market. A research report by Markets And Markets suggests that the niche markets will reach a worth of $17.27 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.3%.
Other Key Picks
Some other medical stocks worth considering are Lantheus Holdings, Inc. LNTH and IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. IDXX . Both stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .
Lantheus Holdings has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 12.5%. The stock has gained 21.6% over the last six months.
IDEXX Laboratories has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 19.8%. The stock has gained around 2.9% over the last six months.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
