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ISRG vs NTRA
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) vs. Natera (NTRA) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ISRG holds a dominant position in robotic surgery with a $162 billion market cap, dwarfing NTRA's $29.6 billion in genetic diagnostics.
- ISRG delivered strong Q1 2026 revenue of $2.77 billion, up 23% year-over-year, underscoring procedural growth.
- NTRA projects 2026 revenue of $2.62–$2.70 billion amid robust cell-free DNA testing demand, though it remains unprofitable with negative EPS.
- Year-to-date, ISRG gained 19.17% versus NTRA's 9.52%, reflecting relative stability.
- Both stocks trade within their 52-week ranges, with ISRG at a forward P/E of 55.56 and NTRA lacking profitability metrics.
- Analyst targets suggest upside for both, averaging $577 for ISRG and $258 for NTRA.
Introduction
This stock comparison pits ISRG, a leader in robotic-assisted surgery, against NTRA, a pioneer in cell-free DNA (cfDNA, a non-invasive genetic testing method) diagnostics. Both operate in the innovative healthcare sector, where advancements in minimally invasive procedures and precision medicine drive growth. Traders seeking momentum plays and long-term investors eyeing medtech exposure will find value in analyzing their relative performance, business models, and market positioning amid recent earnings momentum and sector tailwinds. This analysis highlights key contrasts for informed decision-making in today's volatile market.
ISRG Overview and Recent Performance
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) develops and markets the da Vinci robotic surgical systems, enabling minimally invasive procedures across specialties like urology and gynecology. Its razor-and-blade model generates recurring revenue from instruments, accessories, and services, supporting a vast installed base.
In recent market activity, ISRG reported robust Q1 2026 results, with revenue climbing 23% to $2.77 billion on higher procedure volumes and system placements up 17%. Shares have navigated volatility, trading around $458 after peaking near $604 in the past year, influenced by strong U.S. demand offset by softer international trends. Sentiment remains positive post-annual meeting approvals and buyback completion, though high valuations and competition temper gains. Beta of 1.51 signals moderate volatility relative to the market.
NTRA Overview and Recent Performance
Natera (NTRA) specializes in cfDNA testing for oncology (Signatera for cancer recurrence monitoring), women's health, and organ transplant via products like Prospera. Its platform leverages genetic insights for personalized care, targeting high-growth diagnostics markets.
Recent weeks have seen NTRA shares hover near $207, within a 52-week range of $132–$256, buoyed by strong preliminary 2025 results and 2026 guidance of $2.62–$2.70 billion in revenue. Product revenue surged in prior quarters on oncology adoption, with gross margins improving to 66.9%. Analyst initiations like William Blair's Outperform reflect optimism, ahead of Q1 earnings. However, ongoing losses (EPS -1.51 TTM) and beta of 1.68 highlight higher risk amid execution challenges.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ISRG and NTRA both thrive in healthcare innovation but diverge in models: ISRG's capital equipment plus high-margin recurrings (85%+ of revenue) yield profitability, while NTRA's consumable tests prioritize volume growth over near-term profits. Growth drivers include ISRG's procedure expansion and NTRA's oncology pipeline.
Recent momentum favors ISRG's YTD gains and earnings beats, versus NTRA's steady climb amid guidance upgrades. Risks for ISRG center on international softness and competition; NTRA faces reimbursement hurdles and losses. Sector exposure overlaps in precision medtech, but ISRG offers stability (lower beta), while NTRA promises higher upside. Sentiment tilts positive for both, per analyst targets.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI models currently favor ISRG for its trend consistency, profitability, and established catalysts like da Vinci adoption amid recent market activity. NTRA shows promise in growth trajectory, but elevated volatility and losses suggest caution. Relative positioning points to higher probability of outperformance for ISRG in stable conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ISRG is a Hold and NTRA is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ISRG’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileNTRA’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ISRG’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- NTRA’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ISRG’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NTRA’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ISRG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- NTRA’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ISRG (@Pharmaceuticals: Other) experienced а -2.61% price change this week, while NTRA (@Medical Specialties) price change was -1.50% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Other industry was -0.49%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was -15.35%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -0.27%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.03%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.20%.
Reported Earning Dates
ISRG is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
NTRA is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Other (-0.49% weekly)Pharmaceuticals (Other) comprise companies that are involved in the discovery, development or manufacturing of therapeutic and preventative medicines. They often collaborate with or acquire other pharmaceutical/healthcare firms. Examples of companies in this segment include Bausch Health Companies Inc., Icon Plc and Perrigo Company Plc.
@Medical Specialties (-0.27% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
| ISRG | NTRA | ISRG / NTRA | |
| Capitalization | 146B | 30.4B | 480% |
| EBITDA | 3.95B | -227.7M | -1,735% |
| Gain YTD | -27.421 | -7.429 | 369% |
| P/E Ratio | 49.95 | N/A | - |
| Revenue | 10.6B | 2.5B | 424% |
| Total Cash | 4.52B | 1.09B | 415% |
| Total Debt | 87M | 240M | 36% |
ISRG | NTRA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 75 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 52 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 41 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 51 | 96 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 47 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 85 | 100 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NTRA's Valuation (52) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ISRG (79) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that NTRA’s stock grew similarly to ISRG’s over the last 12 months.
NTRA's Profit vs Risk Rating (41) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ISRG (62) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that NTRA’s stock grew similarly to ISRG’s over the last 12 months.
ISRG's SMR Rating (51) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NTRA (96) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that ISRG’s stock grew somewhat faster than NTRA’s over the last 12 months.
NTRA's Price Growth Rating (47) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ISRG (63) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that NTRA’s stock grew similarly to ISRG’s over the last 12 months.
ISRG's P/E Growth Rating (85) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as NTRA (100) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that ISRG’s stock grew similarly to NTRA’s over the last 12 months.
| ISRG | NTRA | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 68% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 50% | 3 days ago 79% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 80% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 3 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 68% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 68% | 17 days ago 80% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 59% | 7 days ago 79% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 78% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 3 days ago 84% |
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