Boston Scientific Cuts 2026 Outlook a Third Time as Cyberattack Costs About $150 Million in Sales; Shares Hit Lowest Since 2022

BSX reported third-quarter net sales of $5.14 billion, up 1.5% on a reported and organic basis, well short of the 3% to 5% organic growth it originally guided for the quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.73, down from $0.75 a year earlier, and GAAP EPS fell to $0.40 from $0.51. Whether that counts as a miss depends on the yardstick: Investing.com measured it against a $0.75 consensus and called it a $0.02 miss, while Zacks had $0.73 and called it in line. Revenue topped the $5.12 billion estimate Investing.com used.

The bigger problem is the cyberattack the company first reported on Aug. 26. On the earnings call, management said it caused an eight-business-day disruption to the global network during which Boston Scientific could not manufacture or ship product, costing about $0.07 of third-quarter EPS; the hit to sales was roughly $150 million. The weakness was not only cyber: Watchman sales fell 6% and electrophysiology fell 5%.

This was the third cut to the 2026 outlook this year. Full-year sales growth is now about 4.25% reported, down from 5.5% to 6.5%, and adjusted EPS guidance is $3.16 to $3.18, down from $3.28 to $3.32 and below the $3.24 consensus. Fourth-quarter guidance calls for sales to fall 1% to 3% and adjusted EPS of $0.77 to $0.79, against a $0.83 consensus. Management also said it expects 2027 to be "the trough in the cycle."

Shares fell as much as 14% before the open and opened down roughly 7% to 9%, reaching their lowest level since October 2022; they were already down about 53% this year through Tuesday's close. Chief executive Mike Mahoney said he remains "confident in our long-term strategy". What to watch: whether the cyber drag fades after the fourth quarter as guided, Watchman and electrophysiology trends, and the pending Penumbra acquisition, now expected to close in early 2027.