Boston Scientific Inc. Analysis – September 2015 Update $BSX
Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company or by reviewing the 10 Most Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor – August 2015. By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a stock analysis showing a specific look at how Boston Scientific Inc. (BSX) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures and markets medical devices. The Company offers its products by seven core businesses: Interventional Cardiology, which includes Drug-Eluting Coronary Stent Systems, Intravascular Imaging devised and Coronary Technology products, such as guide wires, guide catheters, and balloon catheters, among others; Peripheral Interventions (PI), which include stents, balloon catheters, wires, peripheral embolization devices and vena cava filters; Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), which include implantable devices that monitor the heart and deliver electricity to treat cardiac abnormalities; Electrophysiology (EP), which include steerable RF ablation catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, diagnostic catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories; Endoscopy, which includes Spyglass System, WallFlex Colonic Stents, Resolution Clip, and Expect Aspiration Needle, among others; Urology and Women’s Health, and Neuromodulation.
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Downloadable PDF version of this valuation:
ModernGraham Valuation of BSX – September 2015
Stage 1: Is this company suitable for the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor?
What kind of Intelligent Investor are you?
| Defensive Investor; must pass 6 out of the following 7 tests. | |||
| 1. Adequate Size of the Enterprise | Market Cap > $2Bil | Pass | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Current Ratio > 2 | Fail | |
| 3. Earnings Stability | Positive EPS for 10 years prior | Fail | |
| 4. Dividend Record | Dividend Payments for 10 years prior | Fail | |
| 5. Earnings Growth | Increase of 33% in EPS in past 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end | Fail | |
| 6. Moderate PEmg Ratio | PEmg < 20 | Fail | |
| 7. Moderate Price to Assets | PB Ratio < 2.5 OR PB*PEmg < 50 | Fail | |
| Score | |||
| Enterprising Investor; must pass 4 out of the following 5 tests, or be suitable for the Defensive Investor. | |||
| 1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Current Ratio > 1.5 | Pass | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Debt to NCA < 1.1 | Fail | |
| 3. Earnings Stability | Positive EPS for 5 years prior | Fail | |
| 4. Dividend Record | Currently Pays Dividend | Fail | |
| 5. Earnings Growth | EPSmg greater than 5 years ago | Pass | |
Stage 2: Determination of Intrinsic Value
| EPSmg | -$0.23 |
| MG Growth Estimate | 6.91% |
| MG Value | $0.00 |
| Opinion | Overvalued |
| MG Value based on 3% Growth | -$3.36 |
| MG Value based on 0% Growth | -$1.97 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | -40.49% |
| Current Price | $16.79 |
| % of Intrinsic Value | N/A |
Boston Scientific Inc. does not qualify for either the Enterprising Investor or the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years, the lack of dividends, and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor is concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets, lack of earnings stability over the last five years and the lack of dividends. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should explore other opportunities or proceed with a cautious speculative attitude.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be overvalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of $0.43 in 2011 to an estimated loss of only $0.23 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth does not support a positive valuation as the company is continuing to lose money. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value below the price.
The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on Boston Scientific Inc. (BSX)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Stage 3: Information for Further Research
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$4.97 |
| Graham Number | $7.64 |
| PEmg | -72.47 |
| Current Ratio | 1.95 |
| PB Ratio | 3.47 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% |
| Number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth | 0 |
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Useful Links:
| ModernGraham tagged articles | Morningstar |
| Google Finance | MSN Money |
| Yahoo Finance | Seeking Alpha |
| GuruFocus | SEC Filings |
Most Recent Balance Sheet Figures
| Total Current Assets | $3,773,000,000 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $1,937,000,000 |
| Long-Term Debt | $5,069,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $17,123,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $11,372,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $10,543,000,000 |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) | 1,361,800,000 |
Earnings Per Share History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | $0.53 |
| Dec14 | -$0.09 |
| Dec13 | -$0.09 |
| Dec12 | -$2.89 |
| Dec11 | $0.29 |
| Dec10 | -$0.70 |
| Dec09 | -$0.68 |
| Dec08 | -$1.36 |
| Dec07 | -$0.33 |
| Dec06 | -$2.81 |
| Dec05 | $0.75 |
| Dec04 | $1.24 |
| Dec03 | $0.56 |
| Dec02 | $0.45 |
| Dec01 | -$0.07 |
| Dec00 | $0.46 |
| Dec99 | $0.45 |
| Dec98 | -$0.34 |
| Dec97 | $0.18 |
| Dec96 | $0.23 |
| Dec95 | $0.02 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | -$0.23 |
| Dec14 | -$0.64 |
| Dec13 | -$0.88 |
| Dec12 | -$1.21 |
| Dec11 | -$0.43 |
| Dec10 | -$0.92 |
| Dec09 | -$0.98 |
| Dec08 | -$0.92 |
| Dec07 | -$0.51 |
| Dec06 | -$0.38 |
| Dec05 | $0.75 |
| Dec04 | $0.67 |
| Dec03 | $0.38 |
| Dec02 | $0.26 |
| Dec01 | $0.16 |
| Dec00 | $0.24 |
| Dec99 | $0.13 |
Recommended Reading:
Other ModernGraham posts about the company
| 23 Companies to Research This Week – 9/13/14 | |
| Boston Scientific Corporation Annual Stock Valuation – 2014 $BSX |
Other ModernGraham posts about related companies
Disclaimer:
The author did not hold a position in any company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.  See my current holdings here.  This article is not investment advice; any reader should speak to a registered investment adviser prior to making any investment decisions.  ModernGraham is not affiliated with the company in any manner.  Please be sure to read our full disclaimer.
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