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Boston Scientific trims annual profit forecast on softer Watchman device demand

By Thomson Reuters Jul 29, 2026 | 6:07 AM

July 29 (Reuters) – Medical device maker Boston Scientific on Wednesday lowered its annual profit forecast, citing pressure on its Watchman heart device business.

The company, in May, ​warned of pressure on its Watchman heart device, ‌a small implant used to help prevent stroke-causing blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation, due to softer-than-expected uptake.

Boston Scientific said growth was being weighed down by a decline in standalone Watchman procedures as physicians ‌increasingly ​combine the implant with other cardiac ⁠treatments during a single ⁠visit.

As a result, the company said it expects flat Watchman revenue growth in the second and likely third quarter, despite continued uptake in combined procedures.

On Monday, Boston Scientific’s board ​approved a new company-wide restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs and better positioning the company for future growth.

The ⁠plan, approved on July 21, includes ⁠supply chain optimization, production shifts between manufacturing sites ​and organizational changes, and is expected to be largely completed ​by the end of 2029.

Shares of the company were ‌up nearly 4% premarket after it beat second-quarter results.

The Massachusetts-based company posted second-quarter adjusted profit of 86 cents per share, above analysts’ estimate of 83 cents per share, according to ⁠LSEG data.

Its quarterly revenue came in at $5.44 billion, above analysts’ expectations of $5.36 billion.

The company’s cardiovascular unit posted quarterly sales of $3.62 billion, ⁠beating estimates of $3.58 ‌billion.

Boston Scientific now expects 2026 adjusted profit ⁠per share to be between $3.28 and $3.32, compared to ​its ‌prior view in the range of $3.34 to $3.41 ​per share. ⁠Analysts were expecting annual adjusted profit at $3.36 per share.

The company now expects organic sales growth for 2026 to be between 5% and 6%, compared to its previous expectations in the range of 6.5% to 8%.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing ​by Tasim Zahid)