Fisher Asset Management LLC Sells 16,606 Shares of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. $MMSI

Key Points

• Fisher Asset Management trimmed its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 7.5% in the fourth quarter, selling 16,606 shares and ending with 205,003 shares valued at about $18.1 million.
• Merit Medical Systems reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $0.94 topping estimates and revenue of $381.88 million beating forecasts; revenue rose 7.4% year over year.
• Despite the earnings beat, the stock was down 3.1% and analysts have been cutting price targets, though Wall Street still holds a consensus Moderate Buy rating with a $92.80 average target.

Fisher Asset Management LLC lowered its position in Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MMSI - Free Report) by 7.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 205,003 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 16,606 shares during the quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.35% of Merit Medical Systems worth $18,069,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 11.0% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,853 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp grew its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 19.7% in the fourth quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 1,117 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 0.4% in the third quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 50,667 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $4,095,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 13,562 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,195,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in Merit Medical Systems by 1.4% in the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 17,477 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,455,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.66% of the company's stock.

Merit Medical Systems Stock Down 3.1%

Merit Medical Systems stock opened at $62.52 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 5.08 and a quick ratio of 3.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.07, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.58. Merit Medical Systems, Inc. has a 1-year low of $59.74 and a 1-year high of $96.74. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $66.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.22.

Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ:MMSI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $381.88 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $377.59 million. Merit Medical Systems had a return on equity of 13.54% and a net margin of 9.03%.The business's quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.86 EPS. Merit Medical Systems has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.010-4.150 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Merit Medical Systems, Inc. will post 3.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on MMSI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Merit Medical Systems from $95.00 to $77.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Merit Medical Systems from $106.00 to $96.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their target price on Merit Medical Systems from $90.00 to $85.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 1st. BTIG Research started coverage on Merit Medical Systems in a research report on Friday, February 6th. They set a "buy" rating and a $107.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on Merit Medical Systems from $101.00 to $90.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $92.80.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Merit Medical Systems news, insider Brian G. Lloyd acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 7th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $62.62 per share, with a total value of $125,240.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $125,240. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lynne N. Ward sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.61, for a total value of $313,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,809 shares of the company's stock, valued at $488,921.49. The trade was a 39.04% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about Merit Medical Systems

Here are the key news stories impacting Merit Medical Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several forward earnings estimates for Merit Medical Systems, including Q4 2026, Q3 2027, Q1 2028, and FY2028, signaling improved profit expectations over the long term.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also lifted its FY2026 EPS forecast, which can support the bullish long-term growth case for MMSI even though it remains near the broader consensus.
• Positive Sentiment: A Zacks article highlighted Merit Medical as a top growth stock candidate, reinforcing the view that the company still has favorable fundamentals for long-term investors. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: GuruFocus noted the recent share decline and pointed to a GF Score of 79, suggesting the stock is still fundamentally solid but not without near-term pressure. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: A Yahoo Finance article titled “2 Reasons to Avoid MMSI and 1 Stock to Buy Instead” likely added to bearish investor sentiment around the name. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The stock has also been under pressure more broadly, with recent coverage emphasizing that MMSI is in a downtrend, which may be weighing on trading today.

Merit Medical Systems Profile

Merit Medical Systems, Inc is a global manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of medical devices used in diagnostic and interventional procedures. The company's product portfolio encompasses vascular access, drainage, embolotherapy, and interventional oncology devices, as well as radiofrequency ablation systems and hemostasis solutions. These products serve physicians and hospitals in critical care settings and support minimally invasive treatment options across multiple specialties, including cardiology, radiology, oncology, neurology and endoscopy.

Founded in 1987 by Fred Lampropoulos, Merit Medical Systems has grown through both organic development and targeted acquisitions to expand its technology offerings and geographic reach.

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