New York, Jan 10, 2026, 21:25 EST — The market has closed.
- Merit Medical shares dropped 7.3% on Friday, ending the day at $86.38.
- The company reported preliminary Q4 revenue in the range of $389 million to $395 million.
- Attention has shifted to the Feb. 24 results and the guidance for 2026.
Merit Medical Systems Inc shares dropped 7.3% Friday following news of a leadership transition and a preliminary look at fourth-quarter sales. The S&P 500 ETF gained roughly 0.6%, while a U.S. medical devices ETF edged down about 0.4%.
The stock heads into Monday with one clear question: what will the 2026 outlook reveal once the company releases its full results?
Merit has informed investors about the timing but is holding back on details. The company will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results and provide fiscal 2026 guidance on Feb. 24.
The company forecasted preliminary unaudited revenue between $389 million and $395 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31, marking roughly a 10% to 11% increase from the previous year. On a “constant currency” basis—removing exchange-rate effects—it expects revenue growth of about 8% to 10%. Nasdaq
It named F. Ann Millner as board chair, effective Jan. 5, following founder Fred Lampropoulos’s resignation as director and chair the day before. “As I step down after 38 years since founding Merit, I am proud of how far we’ve come,” Lampropoulos said in a statement. GlobeNewswire
An 8-K filing revealed Merit inked a three-month consulting deal with Lampropoulos on Jan. 7, paying him $250,000 monthly. The board also approved trimming its size from 11 directors down to 10. The filing made clear his resignation wasn’t due to any conflict with management or the board.
The early revenue range offers a quick snapshot of demand but leaves out margins, one-time expenses, and management’s 2026 outlook — all key factors that can quickly shift sentiment, especially following a sharp move.
Leadership changes are a key factor here. Lampropoulos resigned as president and CEO in October, and the recent board shake-up signals yet another shift in what’s been a year of transition.
Some investors will zero in on the difference between reported growth and constant-currency growth. While this adjustment sheds light on underlying demand from one year to the next, it doesn’t affect the actual dollar amounts the company records.
But there’s a catch: the revenue number is preliminary and unaudited. The company warned it might shift as closing work and audits wrap up. A cautious 2026 outlook, or rising costs from the transition, would clearly be the downside risk.
Traders eye Monday’s open, looking for momentum after Friday’s drop and any new insights from Wall Street on whether the revenue guidance beats estimates.
Merit is set to report results after the market closes on Feb. 24, followed by a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
