Medical - Devices
Compare Stocks
4 / 10Stock Comparison
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Instruments & Supplies
Medical - Devices
Medical - Devices
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Devices | Medical - Instruments & Supplies | Medical - Devices | Medical - Devices |
| Market Cap | $523M | $161.07B | $84.08B | $11.51B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $217M | $10.58B | $20.07B | $3.10B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-10M | $2.98B | $2.89B | $587M |
| Gross Margin | 53.0% | 66.3% | 69.0% | 50.9% |
| Operating Margin | -8.2% | 30.5% | 19.8% | 17.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | 43.8x | 16.7x | 19.0x |
| Total Debt | $97M | $303M | $12.42B | $119M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $20M | $3.37B | $2.04B | $526M |
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerus Corporation (CERS) | 100 | 42.0 | -58.0% |
| Intuitive Surgical,… (ISRG) | 100 | 234.6 | +134.6% |
| Boston Scientific C… (BSX) | 100 | 148.9 | +48.9% |
| Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) | 100 | 155.7 | +55.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CERS is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if momentum is your priority.
- +100.8% vs BSX's -46.0%
ISRG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 5.5% 10Y total return vs GMED's 264.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.02, Low D/E 1.7%, current ratio 4.87x
- Beta 1.02, current ratio 4.87x
- 20.5% revenue growth vs CERS's 14.3%
BSX is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.34
- Beta 0.34 vs CERS's 2.13, lower leverage
GMED is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and valuation efficiency.
- Rev growth 16.7%, EPS growth 422.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 42.2%
- PEG 0.61 vs ISRG's 2.01
- Lower P/E (19.0x vs 43.8x), PEG 0.61 vs 2.01
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 20.5% revenue growth vs CERS's 14.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (19.0x vs 43.8x), PEG 0.61 vs 2.01 | |
| Quality / Margins | 28.2% margin vs CERS's -4.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.34 vs CERS's 2.13, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +100.8% vs BSX's -46.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 14.8% ROA vs CERS's -4.4%, ROIC 15.0% vs -19.7% |
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
ISRG leads in 3 of 6 categories
GMED leads 1 • CERS leads 1 • BSX leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ISRG leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BSX is the larger business by revenue, generating $20.1B annually — 92.7x CERS's $217M. ISRG is the more profitable business, keeping 28.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CERS's -4.4%. On growth, GMED holds the edge at +27.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $217M | $10.6B | $20.1B | $3.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$16M | $3.8B | $4.7B | $745M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$10M | $3.0B | $2.9B | $587M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1M | $2.8B | $3.6B | $605M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +53.0% | +66.3% | +69.0% | +50.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -8.2% | +30.5% | +19.8% | +17.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -4.4% | +28.2% | +14.4% | +18.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +26.8% | +18.1% | +19.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +24.1% | +23.0% | +15.9% | +27.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +75.7% | +18.8% | +18.5% | +66.7% |
Valuation Metrics
GMED leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.7x trailing earnings, GMED trades at a 62% valuation discount to ISRG's 57.6x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), GMED offers better value at 0.70x vs ISRG's 2.65x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $523M | $161.1B | $84.1B | $11.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $600M | $158.0B | $94.5B | $11.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -31.83x | 57.62x | 29.16x | 21.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 43.84x | 16.75x | 19.03x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.65x | — | 0.70x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 43.62x | 25.30x | 18.51x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.54x | 16.00x | 4.19x | 3.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.66x | 9.17x | 3.46x | 2.55x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 61.37x | 64.67x | 22.99x | 19.54x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ISRG leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ISRG delivers a 16.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $17 in annual profit, vs $-15 for CERS. ISRG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.02x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CERS's 1.49x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GMED scores 9/9 vs CERS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -15.2% | +16.9% | +12.4% | +13.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.4% | +14.8% | +6.9% | +11.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -19.7% | +15.0% | +8.8% | +8.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -28.1% | +16.5% | +11.1% | +10.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.49x | 0.02x | 0.51x | 0.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $77M | -$3.1B | $10.4B | -$408M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $20M | $3.4B | $2.0B | $526M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $97M | $303M | $12.4B | $119M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -2.63x | — | 11.03x | 81.13x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ISRG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ISRG five years ago would be worth $15,873 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,254 for CERS. Over the past 12 months, CERS leads with a +100.8% total return vs BSX's -46.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ISRG at 14.4% vs BSX's 2.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.5% | -19.3% | -40.3% | -2.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +100.8% | -15.4% | -46.0% | +19.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.1% | +49.6% | +6.5% | +46.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -57.5% | +58.7% | +31.2% | +16.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -54.5% | +554.2% | +155.5% | +264.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +5.7% | +14.4% | +2.1% | +13.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BSX and GMED each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BSX is the less volatile stock with a 0.34 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CERS's 2.13 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GMED currently trades 83.9% from its 52-week high vs BSX's 51.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.13x | 1.02x | 0.34x | 1.29x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $3.15 | $603.88 | $109.50 | $101.40 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.15 | $427.84 | $54.98 | $51.79 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +82.9% | +75.1% | +51.7% | +83.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.6 | 42.4 | 33.2 | 45.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.2M | 1.8M | 15.5M | 998K |
Analyst Outlook
CERS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: CERS as "Buy", ISRG as "Buy", BSX as "Buy", GMED as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 61.4% upside for BSX (target: $91) vs 30.1% for GMED (target: $111).
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $4.00 | $622.60 | $91.33 | $110.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 55 | 43 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.4% | 0.0% | +2.6% |
ISRG leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). GMED leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
CERS vs ISRG vs BSX vs GMED: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
(ISRG) is the stronger pick with 20. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 14. 3% for Cerus Corporation (CERS). Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) offers the better valuation at 21. 7x trailing P/E (19. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cerus Corporation (CERS) a "Buy" — based on 10 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
On trailing P/E, Globus Medical, Inc.
(GMED) is the cheapest at 21. 7x versus Intuitive Surgical, Inc. at 57. 6x. On forward P/E, Boston Scientific Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Globus Medical, Inc. wins at 0. 61x versus Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 's 2. 01x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
Over the past 5 years, Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
(ISRG) delivered a total return of +58. 7%, compared to -57. 5% for Cerus Corporation (CERS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ISRG returned +554. 2% versus CERS's -54. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
34β versus Cerus Corporation's 2. 13β — meaning CERS is approximately 521% more volatile than BSX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 149% for Cerus Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
(ISRG) is pulling ahead at 20. 5% versus 14. 3% for Cerus Corporation (CERS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Globus Medical, Inc. grew EPS 422. 7% year-over-year, compared to 22. 6% for Intuitive Surgical, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GMED leads at 42. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
(ISRG) is the more profitable company, earning 28. 4% net margin versus -7. 6% for Cerus Corporation — meaning it keeps 28. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ISRG leads at 29. 3% versus -17. 6% for CERS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BSX leads at 69. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 61x versus Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 's 2. 01x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) trades at 16. 7x forward P/E versus 43. 8x for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. — 27. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BSX: 61. 4% to $91. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is CERS or ISRG or BSX or GMED better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
34), +155. 5% 10Y return). Cerus Corporation (CERS) carries a higher beta of 2. 13 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (BSX: +155. 5%, CERS: -54. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CERS and ISRG and BSX and GMED?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CERS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ISRG is a mid-cap high-growth stock; BSX is a mid-cap high-growth stock; GMED is a mid-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform all of them.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.