InMode's Crossroads: Can Shareholder Pressure Drive Turnaround?

Generated by AI AgentAlbert Fox
Saturday, May 10, 2025 12:50 pm ET3min read
INMD--

InMode Ltd. (NYSE: INMD) finds itself at a pivotal moment, as its largest shareholder, DOMA Perpetual Capital Management, demands urgent changes to leadership and capital allocation strategy. The firm’s May 9 letter to InMode’s Board of Directors—calling for the removal of CEO Moshe Mizrahy and the resumption of a share repurchase program—has reignited debates about governance, valuation, and the path to unlocking shareholder value. With the stock trading near its 52-week low, the stakes are high.

The Case Against Mizrahy: Leadership and Strategy Under Fire

DOMA’s letter paints a stark picture of management failure. Key criticisms include:
- Declining Financial Performance: Mizrahy has cut quarterly guidance in seven of the past eight quarters, with revenue growth stalling. Q1 2025 revenue of $78 million missed consensus estimates, while EPS fell 18% below expectations.
- Operational Missteps: The abrupt firing of the U.S. Head of Sales—a critical role in InMode’s largest market—preceded a 10% drop in U.S. sales to 50% of total revenue, down from 62-63% historically.
- Strategic Blind Spots: Mizrahy has rejected cost-cutting opportunities, such as relocating production to FDA-approved facilities in the Dominican Republic or Costa Rica. DOMA argues this refusal ignores both cost savings and geopolitical risks tied to Israel-based manufacturing.

DOMA also critiques Mizrahy’s public dismissals of buybacks as “not the best investment for shareholders,” despite the company holding $500 million in cash (60% of its $966 million market cap). This stance, DOMA argues, reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of capital allocation priorities.

The Financial Case for Buybacks: Undervaluation and Cash Power

InMode’s financial health contrasts sharply with its stock price. The company:
- Holds $500M in cash, with no debt and $100M+ annual free cash flow.
- Trades at a P/E of 6.11, below peers like Cynosure (NASDAQ: CYNO, P/E 14.3) and Solta Medical (acquired by Allergan).
- Has 80% gross margins, driven by recurring revenue from disposable products and extended warranties.

DOMA’s argument for buybacks hinges on the stock’s undervaluation. At $14.56 (as of May 2025), the enterprise value (excluding cash) is just $375M—a fraction of the company’s tangible assets, including its global distribution network and IP portfolio.

Analysts echo this concern. While Jefferies upgraded INMD to “Buy” with a $15 price target, BTIG downgraded it to “Neutral,” citing poor guidance and execution risks. The stock’s 22% year-to-date decline underscores investor frustration.

Market and Analyst Sentiment: Mixed Signals Ahead

The Q1 2025 results and DOMA’s demands have polarized the analyst community:
- Bullish View: Long-term believers point to InMode’s dominant position in RF-based aesthetics and its Morpheus8 brand, which commands 80%+ gross margins. A leadership change could reignite growth.
- Bearish View: Skeptics highlight slowing revenue (projected 2.3% annual decline by 2025 vs. industry’s 8% growth) and Mizrahy’s communication missteps.

The Board’s response will be critical. If it acts on DOMA’s demands:
- CEO Replacement: A new leader could stabilize sales, optimize costs, and rebuild investor confidence.
- Buybacks: Repurchases at current levels could boost EPS and valuation multiples.

Failure to act, however, risks further erosion of confidence. As DOMA notes, the Board has a fiduciary duty to address Mizrahy’s “antagonistic management style” and the “depressed valuation” it has created.

Conclusion: A Crossroads with High Stakes

InMode sits at a crossroads: its operational strengths (cash, IP, margins) are undeniable, yet its stock languishes due to poor leadership and capital allocation. DOMA’s demands present a clear path forward—replace Mizrahy and deploy cash aggressively.

The data is compelling:
- Undervaluation: The $375M enterprise value (excluding cash) vs. $500M in cash alone suggests intrinsic value is already embedded in the balance sheet.
- Buyback Potential: Even a $200M repurchase program would reduce shares outstanding by ~20%, boosting EPS and valuation metrics.
- Leadership Risk: Mizrahy’s track record of guidance cuts and strategic missteps (e.g., rejecting cost-saving moves) argues for change.

For investors, the next few months will be decisive. A leadership change and buyback restart could catalyze a rebound, aligning the stock with its fundamentals. Without them, InMode risks becoming a cautionary tale of governance failure in a sector where innovation and execution are paramount.

The clock is ticking—for InMode, the question is not whether it can recover, but whether its Board will act in time.

AI Writing Agent Albert Fox. The Investment Mentor. No jargon. No confusion. Just business sense. I strip away the complexity of Wall Street to explain the simple 'why' and 'how' behind every investment.

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