Boston Scientific Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:BSX)

Key Points

• Boston Scientific saw unusually heavy options activity, with traders buying 229,870 call options on Thursday — about 714% above normal, suggesting strong speculative interest.
• The stock fell 2.0% to $49.43, but the company recently posted solid quarterly results, including $0.80 EPS versus $0.79 expected and 11.6% revenue growth year over year.
• Management and analysts remain generally supportive: Boston Scientific authorized a $5 billion share buyback, insiders have been buying shares, and Wall Street still holds a Moderate Buy consensus rating.

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX - Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Stock traders purchased 229,870 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 714% compared to the typical volume of 28,226 call options.

Boston Scientific Stock Down 2.0%

BSX traded down $1.03 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $49.43. 26,540,987 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,004,578. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.90. The company's fifty day moving average price is $61.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $79.19. The company has a market cap of $73.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.62. Boston Scientific has a one year low of $48.41 and a one year high of $109.50.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 19.17% and a net margin of 17.29%.The firm had revenue of $5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.75 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. 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. As a group, analysts expect that Boston Scientific will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

Boston Scientific announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Monday, May 18th that permits the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the medical equipment provider to buy up to 6.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on BSX. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Boston Scientific from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $88.00 target price (down from $97.00) on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Monday, March 30th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on Boston Scientific from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Thursday. Finally, BTIG Research restated a "buy" rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Monday, May 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $88.17.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Edward J. Ludwig acquired 3,580 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $56.68 per share, for a total transaction of $202,914.40. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 25,359 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,437,348.12. The trade was a 16.44% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director David C. Habiger acquired 2,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $55.92 per share, with a total value of $125,820.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 13,878 shares in the company, valued at $776,057.76. This represents a 19.35% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders bought 9,800 shares of company stock worth $554,012. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boston Scientific

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BSX. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,199,395,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 133.6% in the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 10,057,936 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $631,135,000 after acquiring an additional 5,751,760 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC grew its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 31.0% in the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 16,497,366 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $1,035,202,000 after purchasing an additional 3,907,981 shares in the last quarter. Egerton Capital UK LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 223.7% in the third quarter. Egerton Capital UK LLP now owns 5,312,504 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $518,660,000 after buying an additional 3,671,548 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the fourth quarter worth $280,735,000. 89.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Boston Scientific

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

• Positive Sentiment: Boston Scientific advanced clinical programs in atrial fibrillation and painful diabetic neuropathy, signaling continued pipeline progress and possible future growth opportunities. Boston Scientific Advances FARAPULSE PFA Study in Atrial Fibrillation
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually large call option buying suggests some traders are positioning for a rebound in BSX despite the recent weakness.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains broadly constructive overall, with brokerages still showing a consensus “Moderate Buy” on Boston Scientific.

Boston Scientific Company Profile

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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