Analyst Ratings February 11, 2026

Stifel Sticks With Buy on Edwards Lifesciences, $110 Target Cites TAVR Momentum

Analyst maintains optimistic outlook after revenue beat; EPS miss tied to elevated SG&A spending

By Caleb Monroe EW
Stifel Sticks With Buy on Edwards Lifesciences, $110 Target Cites TAVR Momentum
EW

Stifel reiterated a Buy rating on Edwards Lifesciences and kept a $110 price target, implying roughly 27% upside from the current share price. The medical device maker posted stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 revenue driven largely by transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) sales, while adjusted EPS lagged estimates due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Management signaled a more measured spending pace for 2026 and preserved its financial guidance citing supportive clinical and market dynamics for TAVR.

Key Points

  • Stifel reaffirmed a Buy rating and set a $110 price target for Edwards Lifesciences, implying about 27% upside from the current price of $78.19 - impacts equity investors and healthcare sector sentiment.
  • Edwards posted Q4 2025 revenue of $1.57 billion, up 11.6% year-over-year and above both Stifel's $1.54 billion and consensus $1.55 billion estimates, driven mainly by TAVR sales which make up roughly 74% of 2025 revenue - relevant to medical device and healthcare equipment markets.
  • Adjusted EPS came in at $0.58, below the $0.62 expected, due to higher SG&A spending; management plans more measured spending in 2026 and maintained guidance - affects profitability and margin outlook for branded medical device firms.

Stifel on Wednesday reaffirmed its Buy rating for Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) and kept a $110.00 price objective, a level that represents about a 27% potential upside from the stock's prevailing price of $78.19. Independent valuation data included with the report indicate the shares may be modestly undervalued based on fair value estimates.

Edwards reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $1.57 billion, an 11.6% increase from the prior year and marginally above both Stifel's internal forecast of $1.54 billion and the consensus street estimate of $1.55 billion. The company’s revenue performance also corresponds with an 11.55% gain in revenue over the past twelve months.

The primary contributor to the top-line outperformance was transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, which accounted for roughly 74% of Edwards' 2025 revenue and grew 10.6% year-over-year in the quarter. That product line remains the dominant driver of the business and was specifically highlighted in the analyst note as underpinning the stronger revenue result.

On the profitability side, Edwards reported adjusted quarterly earnings per share of $0.58, below the $0.62 per-share figure expected by Stifel and the consensus. Management attributed the shortfall to higher-than-anticipated SG&A spending, which rose to support commercial initiatives and other growth programs.

Looking ahead, company leadership signaled an intention to adopt a more measured pace of spending through 2026, and they maintained existing financial guidance. Management pointed to several tailwinds for continued TAVR adoption - including favorable clinical data, changes in European guidelines, the exit of a competitor from the market, and ongoing uptake of the Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia valve with positive pricing dynamics - as reasons to expect sustained growth in that franchise.

Other items of note from the quarter: there were no disclosures of mergers or acquisitions, and recent activity among sell-side firms has not produced any upgrades or downgrades for the company. The combination of a revenue beat and an EPS miss provides a mixed signal for investors, with top-line strength concentrated in the TAVR franchise and margin pressure stemming from increased operating expenditures.


Contextual summary

Stifel's reiteration of a Buy rating and a $110 target rests on Edwards' solid revenue trajectory, particularly in TAVR, while the company navigates higher SG&A outlays that compressed reported EPS in the latest quarter. Management's commitment to rein in spending in 2026 and the absence of near-term corporate transactions were also noted.

Risks

  • Earnings risk from elevated SG&A - the company’s EPS missed estimates after higher-than-anticipated commercial and growth-related spending, creating uncertainty around near-term profitability for the medical device sector.
  • Concentration risk in TAVR - with about 74% of 2025 revenue tied to the TAVR franchise, any adverse developments affecting TAVR adoption could disproportionately impact Edwards and the broader cardiovascular device market.
  • Execution and spending uncertainty - while management expects a more measured spending profile in 2026, outcomes depend on the company's execution of cost controls and commercial initiatives, affecting investors' margin expectations.

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