Intuitive Surgical price target raised to $250 from $240 at Mizuho

Mizuho analyst Anthony Petrone raised the firm’s price target on Intuitive Surgical to $250 from $240 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The analyst sees a favorable sentiment setup heading into the Q1 results for medtech and diagnostics companies. A sentiment shift is being driven by a steadily improving procedure volume backdrop coupled with less idiosyncratic risk versus other healthcare sub-sectors, the analyst tells investors in a research note. These themes are coupled with a favorable Q1 setup where the combination of conservative guides from earlier in the year against omicron headwinds last year has set up a "low bar" for many names into this upcoming earnings cycle, says the firm.