Intuitive Surgical Shares Plummets 5.95% Amid Tariff Warnings as $2.25 Billion Volume Ranks 20th in Market Activity

On September 3, 2025, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) closed with a 5.95% decline, trading at $440.11 despite a 115.26% surge in trading volume to $2.25 billion, ranking it 20th in market activity. The drop followed remarks by CFO Jamie Samath at the Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference, where he highlighted potential tariff impacts. Samath described U.S. tariff policies as "dynamic," noting the company expects a 100-basis-point cost-of-goods-sold impact this year, with risks escalating in 2026 as tariffs roll through inventory. He emphasized the company’s flexibility to adjust pricing if tariffs persist, though such measures would align with customer value propositions.

Samath’s comments coincided with Intuitive’s ongoing launch of the da Vinci 5 surgical system, its most advanced offering. Despite the innovation, shares have remained pressured this year, slipping below key 50-day and 200-day moving averages in July. Analysts note the stock’s weak technical indicators, including an IBD Digital Relative Strength Rating of 15, reflecting its underperformance relative to peers. The company has not yet responded to requests for further comment on tariff strategies or product launches.

Separately, U.S. President Trump’s ongoing legal battle to uphold tariffs remains a macroeconomic wildcard. A federal appeals court ruled most of his tariffs illegal, though they remain in effect pending Supreme Court review. Trump has warned of "economic emergency" scenarios if the court rejects his appeal, though this has not directly influenced Intuitive’s near-term guidance. The company’s focus remains on mitigating supply chain costs and maintaining pricing discipline amid regulatory uncertainty.

The 90-day price performance of ISRG from July 1, 2025, to September 3, 2025, recorded a cumulative decline of 14.2%. During this period, the stock reached an intraday high of $472.50 on July 5 and an intraday low of $438.10 on September 3. The average daily trading range expanded to $12.30, up from $7.80 in the prior 90-day window. Volume-based momentum indicators showed bearish divergence, with the 14-day RSI dropping below 30 by September 3.