Medtronic Revenue Bruised by COVID-19 Measures

The medical device maker said its fiscal fourth-quarter results would be significantly impacted

Medical device manufacturer Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) announced last night that its global revenue has taken a hit in recent weeks, while hospitals delay elective procedures utilizing its devices in order to prioritize patients with COVID-19. The firm expects this to significantly impact its upcoming fiscal fourth-quarter results, adding that China's weekly revenue has already dropped 20% to 40% since March 9, and revenue in the U.S. declined roughly 60%. At last check, MDT is down 1.6% to trade at $96.03.

The announcement sparked a price target cut from Wells Fargo to $108 from $130. The majority of analysts, however, are bullish on MDT. Nineteen of the 24 covering the stock call it a "buy" or better, with not a single "sell" to be seen. Plus, coming into today, the consensus 12-month target price of $113.91 is a 16.7% premium to last night's close.

Options players are also optimistic. In the past 10 days, 8.53 calls have been picked up for every put at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). This ratio sits in the 81st percentile of its annual range, suggesting a much healthier appetite for bullish bets of late.

Looking back, MDT has been working at distancing itself from its March 18, three-year low of $72.13 -- up 8% in April -- but ran out of steam just below its 70-day moving average earlier this week. This pressure is keeping Medtronic stock from taking over its year-to-date breakeven, though year-over-year, MDT boasts a roughly 15% gain.