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Investing.com -- Bernstein analysts have revised their ratings for key players in the European medical devices and services sector, upgrading Coloplast (CSE:COLOb) to "outperform" and Elekta (BS:EKTABs) to "market-perform." At the same time, Philips remains the firm’s top pick, despite recent market challenges.
The upgrade of Coloplast reflects Bernstein’s expectation that easing cost inflation and pricing improvements will support sustained growth.
The analysts see opportunities for market expansion and product innovation, making the current valuation an attractive entry point.
They forecast a 15% compound annual growth rate for earnings per share through 2028-2029.
Elekta, which has faced operational challenges and stock price declines, has been upgraded to "market-perform" from "underperform."
Bernstein now believes that consensus estimates adequately reflect the margin pressures associated with Elekta’s R&D investments and the launch of its new linac system.
However, analysts remain cautious, stating that while Elekta has a strong history of innovation, it may struggle to translate this into the necessary operational performance for stock outperformance in the near term.
Philips, despite a tumultuous 2024, is Bernstein’s top investment choice. The Dutch company saw a sharp stock decline of 17% following weak third-quarter results, largely due to struggles in its Personal Health segment in China.
However, this division accounted for only a small portion of Philips’ total revenue, and Bernstein has adjusted its estimates to reflect a more conservative outlook.
The brokerage projects mid-to-high single-digit growth across other segments, with a boost expected from margin recovery and a rebound in its Respironics unit. Over the next five years, Philips is forecast to achieve a 14% CAGR in earnings per share.
Broader market conditions remain uncertain, with the medical technology sector facing headwinds from economic concerns, policy shifts under the incoming U.S. administration, and ongoing challenges in China.
Bernstein analysts said that despite these risks, select companies—including Philips, Siemens (ETR:SIEGn) Healthineers, Convatec, and Smith & Nephew—are well-positioned for long-term growth.