Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) Cut to Hold at Wells Fargo & Company

Key Points

• Wells Fargo downgraded Boston Scientific from “strong-buy” to “hold,” citing concerns around uncertainty in the electrophysiology business and the WATCHMAN franchise.
• Despite the downgrade, the broader analyst view remains relatively constructive: the stock still has a Moderate Buy consensus, with 22 Buy ratings versus five Holds and an average price target of $87.46.
• Boston Scientific recently reported better-than-expected quarterly results, authorized a $5 billion share buyback, and saw insider buying, while management also provided 2026 guidance and noted continued growth in revenue.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

BSX has been the topic of several other reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $112.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Friday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $70.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $87.46.

Boston Scientific Price Performance

Boston Scientific stock opened at $49.12 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.90. Boston Scientific has a 52 week low of $48.41 and a 52 week high of $109.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.62. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $60.69 and a 200-day moving average of $78.84.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.19 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 19.17% and a net margin of 17.29%.Boston Scientific's revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. Boston Scientific has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.820-0.840 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 3.340-3.410 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Boston Scientific will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Boston Scientific announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Monday, May 18th that allows the company to buyback $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the medical equipment provider to purchase up to 6.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Cheryl Pegus purchased 1,770 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $56.49 per share, with a total value of $99,987.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 1,770 shares in the company, valued at approximately $99,987.30. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Edward J. Ludwig purchased 3,580 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $56.68 per share, with a total value of $202,914.40. Following the purchase, the director owned 25,359 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,437,348.12. This trade represents a 16.44% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have acquired 9,800 shares of company stock valued at $554,012 in the last ninety days. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp boosted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 200.0% in the third quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 255 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the second quarter worth $26,000. Swiss RE Ltd. acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Finally, United Community Bank raised its holdings in Boston Scientific by 115.7% during the third quarter. United Community Bank now owns 274 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.07% of the company's stock.

More Boston Scientific News

Here are the key news stories impacting Boston Scientific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Boston Scientific advanced several clinical programs, including updates on its FARAPULSE pulsed-field ablation study and a diabetic neuropathy trial that is nearing a key data milestone, which could support future product growth. Boston Scientific Advances FARAPULSE PFA Study in Atrial Fibrillation
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity showed heavy call buying in BSX, suggesting some traders are positioning for a rebound.
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street brokerage consensus still leans bullish overall, with the stock holding a “Moderate Buy” rating from analysts.
• Neutral Sentiment: Boston Scientific continues to work on its device pipeline and capital deployment strategy, which may help offset current franchise weakness over time. Boston Scientific (BSX) Device Succeeds in Over 93% of Patients in Its Pivotal Trial
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo downgraded Boston Scientific to Equal Weight from Overweight, citing uncertainty around the EP business and the WATCHMAN franchise. Wells Fargo cuts Boston Scientific to ’Equal Weight’ on Watchman slowdown
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s reduced 2026 organic growth outlook and comments about slower WATCHMAN procedures and competitive pressure in electrophysiology were the main catalysts behind the stock’s decline. Boston Scientific shares fall 10% on Watchman weakness, competitive pressures

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific Corporation NYSE: BSX is a global medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of products used in less-invasive medical procedures. Founded in 1979 by John Abele and Peter Nicholas, the company is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and focuses on technologies that enable physicians to treat a wide range of cardiovascular, digestive, urologic, pulmonary and chronic pain conditions without open surgery.

Boston Scientific's activities span product development, clinical research, regulatory affairs and commercial sales.

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