Boston Scientific Slashes Full-Year Guidance for Third Time in 2026 After August Cyberattack Batters Q4 Outlook

Boston Scientific cut its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings guidance for the third time this year after a cyberattack in August disrupted operations and contributed to a bleak fourth-quarter outlook. The company now expects full-year adjusted EPS of $3.16 to $3.18, down from prior guidance and well below the analyst consensus of $3.23. For the fourth quarter, it projected adjusted EPS of $0.77 to $0.79 against an estimate of $0.84, and guided for organic and reported net sales growth of negative 3 percent to negative 1 percent, meaning an outright quarterly revenue decline.

Third-quarter results were a modest bright spot against that backdrop. Net sales came in at $5.14 billion, up 1.5 percent year over year on a reported and organic basis and ahead of the $5.05 billion consensus. Adjusted EPS of $0.73 matched or slightly exceeded estimates, though GAAP EPS of $0.40 fell 22 percent from the prior-year period. By segment, Neuromodulation was the standout, growing 13.1 percent to $331 million, while Cardiovascular rose 1.9 percent to $3.4 billion and MedSurg gained 0.6 percent to $1.7 billion. Endoscopy slipped 0.8 percent to $741 million and Urology fell 3.2 percent to $661 million.

The market reaction was severe. Boston Scientific shares fell roughly 12 percent on the day and touched a 52-week low of $41.12, levels described as four-year lows. CEO commentary acknowledged the cyberattack directly, citing work done "with urgency and resilience to restore operations" while expressing confidence in the company's long-term strategy. On the product front, the company received FDA 510(k) clearance for two StoneSmart Solutions technologies and expanded sizing for its SEISMIQ system, and announced that Category I CPT reimbursement codes for renal denervation will take effect in January 2028.