New York, May 31, 2026, 17:01 (EDT)
Boston Scientific is starting the week trading close to its recent lows after shares dropped 16.4% last week. The selloff came as investors question if the slowdown in demand for its Watchman heart implant is temporary or a sign of a longer-term slowdown. The stock ended at $48.31 on May 29, down from $57.78 at the May 22 close, according to historical price data.
No regular U.S. equity session has happened since Friday’s close, so timing is in focus. New York Stock Exchange trading data shows markets were closed Sunday, May 31, and set to reopen Monday, June 1, at 9:30 a.m. New York time and run until 4:00 p.m.
Boston Scientific’s Watchman has been a key growth driver, but usage is slipping. CEO Michael Mahoney told the Bernstein conference last week that they are seeing “declining usage” in standalone Watchman cases and now expect “flat dollar growth” from Q1 to Q2, saying this could last through Q3. J.P. Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus said the update “pushes off” a verdict on whether management has rebuilt investor trust. Reuters
Boston Scientific’s Watchman stops blood clots from forming in a small pouch of the heart in some atrial fibrillation patients. The left atrial appendage closure device is meant to cut stroke risk and help patients avoid staying on blood thinners long term.
Boston Scientific dropped 1.63% Friday, logging its fourth loss in a row. The S&P 500 picked up 0.22% and the Dow Jones added 0.72%. Volume for Boston Scientific climbed to 37.1 million shares—almost twice the 50-day average. The day’s selloff didn’t come on light trading.
The selling looked tougher against a strong market. U.S. indexes finished up Friday, with the S&P 500 adding its seventh day in a row and taking its ninth week higher, AP reported in its market wrap.
Boston Scientific had trimmed its forecast even before last week’s selloff. Back in April, the company posted first-quarter net sales of $5.203 billion, guiding for 2026 full-year organic revenue growth between 6.5% and 8.0%. The organic revenue figure doesn’t include currency moves or some acquisition and divestiture items.
Boston Scientific got hit with a Wells Fargo downgrade after the Watchman update, Benzinga reported. Analyst Larry Biegelsen cut the stock to Equal Weight from Overweight and took the price target down to $55 from $75.
Competitive heat is tight in this space, not simply a wide medical-device drop. Barron’s says Abbott, Medtronic and AtriCure have ramped up left atrial appendage closure rivalry, the segment where Watchman is in play.
Boston Scientific is putting some capital behind its shares. The company said on May 18 it started a $2 billion accelerated share repurchase agreement, paying a bank up front to buy back stock. The final settlement is expected by June 30. After this buyback, $3 billion remains under the company’s existing authorization.
Boston Scientific doesn’t have earnings slated for this week. According to the investor calendar, its next results call is set for July 29. That means the action Monday and any new analyst calls or company statements will drive the short-term conversation.
There’s a chance the Watchman problem sticks around longer than investors thought. If they start to see the weakness as more than changes in timing—if it signals a tougher category—then more estimate cuts could hit. A buyback wouldn’t solve the core demand issue.
Bargain hunters might step in Monday if procedure trends settle down. Right now, Boston Scientific trades less on overall med-tech momentum and more on whether management can convince investors the Watchman floor holds.
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