What's Driving LivaNova PLC's Surprising 12% Stock Rally?

LivaNova PLC (LIVN, Financial), a prominent player in the medical devices industry, has experienced a notable uptick in its stock performance. With a current market capitalization of $2.83 billion, the company's shares are trading at $52.6, reflecting a 7.57% gain over the past week and a 12.25% gain over the past three months. This positive trajectory is further underscored by the GF Value of $67.1, suggesting that the stock is modestly undervalued compared to its past GF Value of $66.4. The consistent GF Valuation of modestly undervalued both currently and three months ago indicates a stable perception of the company's intrinsic value among investors.

Introduction to LivaNova PLC

LivaNova PLC, headquartered in the U.K., emerged from the merger of Cyberonics in the U.S. and Sorin in Italy. The company specializes in cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary solutions, including surgical heart valves and neuromodulation devices for epilepsy and depression treatments. Post-merger, LivaNova streamlined its focus by divesting certain businesses. With approximately half of its revenue generated from the U.S. and a significant portion from Europe, LivaNova is a key player in its sector, catering to a diverse international market.

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Assessing LivaNova's Profitability

When evaluating LivaNova's financial health, the Profitability Rank stands at 5/10 as of September 30, 2023. The company's operating margin is 2.99%, which is better than 52.87% of its industry peers. In terms of return metrics, LivaNova's ROE is 0.24%, ROA is 0.12%, and ROIC is 0.27%, each outperforming over half of the competition. Despite these figures, the company has only achieved profitability in 3 of the past 10 years, which is better than 24.48% of the companies in the industry.

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Growth Prospects of LivaNova

The Growth Rank for LivaNova is also positioned at 5/10. The company has faced challenges, with a 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share of -5.20% and a 5-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share of -2.60%. However, the estimated Total Revenue Growth Rate for the next 3 to 5 years is more optimistic at 4.53%. The 3-Year EPS without NRI Growth Rate has significantly declined by -90.90%, but the future EPS Growth Rate is expected to be a modest 0.87%.

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Key Shareholders in LivaNova

Notable investors in LivaNova include PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio), holding 5,791,280 shares, which accounts for 10.75% of the company's shares. Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss owns 2,372,027 shares, representing 4.4% of the share percentage. Additionally, renowned investor David Einhorn (Trades, Portfolio) holds 1,229,316 shares, equating to a 2.28% share percentage. These significant holdings by respected investment firms and individuals underscore the confidence in LivaNova's potential.

Competitive Landscape

LivaNova operates in a competitive landscape, with close rivals such as TransMedics Group Inc (TMDX, Financial) with a market cap of $2.89 billion, Conmed Corp (CNMD, Financial) at $2.5 billion, and PROCEPT BioRobotics Corp (PRCT, Financial) with a market cap of $2.47 billion. These companies, all within the same industry and with similar market capitalizations, provide a context for LivaNova's performance and strategic positioning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LivaNova PLC's recent stock performance and valuation indicate a positive outlook, with the stock being considered modestly undervalued according to the GF Value. The company's profitability metrics, although not leading the industry, show a competitive edge over a significant portion of its peers. Growth prospects present a mixed picture, with historical challenges counterbalanced by modest future expectations. The confidence of major shareholders and the company's standing amidst its competitors further solidify its position in the market. As LivaNova continues to navigate the medical devices industry, investors will be watching closely to see if the company can capitalize on its strengths and improve its growth trajectory.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.