Intuitive Surgical Gains 0.21% with $790M Volume Ranks 103rd in Market Activity Amid Analyst Divergence and Institutional Selloff

On August 18, 2025, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) closed with a 0.21% gain, trading on a volume of $0.79 billion, ranking it 103rd in market activity. The stock’s performance followed mixed analyst sentiment and insider transactions that highlighted both bullish and bearish signals. The company reported second-quarter earnings of $2.19 per share, exceeding estimates by $0.26, while revenue surged 21.4% year-over-year to $2.44 billion. Analysts issued 14 "buy" ratings, five "hold" ratings, and one "sell" rating, with a median price target of $595.95.

Rep. Lisa C. McClain (R-Michigan) disclosed purchasing between $1,001 and $15,000 of ISRG shares on July 10, signaling confidence in the firm’s long-term prospects. This move contrasted with recent insider sales, including a 92.73% reduction in ownership by EVP Myriam Curet and a 13.13% stake cut by Gary S. Guthart. Institutional investors showed divergent strategies: Brighton Jones LLC and Mariner LLC increased holdings, while hedge funds collectively sold 15,839 shares valued at $7.9 million in the past quarter.

Analyst activity remained dynamic, with UBS Group raising its price target to $585 and Deutsche Bank downgrading to "sell." Despite these shifts, the stock’s 12-month range of $425–$616 and a 50-day moving average of $508.75 suggested lingering volatility. Institutional ownership remains strong at 83.64%, though insider ownership has declined to 0.70%.

A strategy of purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day generated a cumulative 23.4% return from 2022 to the present, yielding $2,340 in profits. This aligns with ISRG’s moderate performance amid broader market fluctuations.