Zimmer cuts 2025 organic sales growth forecast on weakness in international markets

(Reuters) -Zimmer Biomet Holdings cut its 2025 organic revenue growth forecast following weakness in Latin America and emerging markets in Europe that offset the company's strong performance in the U.S., sending shares 8.4% lower in premarket trading.

The medical device maker kept its overall revenue growth forecast stable on Wednesday, aided by foreign currency fluctuations. But it lowered the upper end of its organic growth outlook to 4.0% from 4.5%, while keeping the floor constant at 3.5%.

Zimmer said these issues emerged late in the quarter and are being addressed.

For the quarter, the company saw strong demand for its hips and knees units, which help with joint reconstruction procedures, underpinned by sustained demand for surgical procedures, especially among older adults.

J.P.Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus said the company reported "mixed" third-quarter results as its organic sales growth of 5.0% missed expectations of 5.6%, but came with a quarterly profit beat.

"While there were certainly some positives in the quarter, the investor focus today will be on the organic sales growth miss," Marcus said.

Zimmer maintained its full-year reported revenue growth forecast and annual adjusted profit forecast, while raising its foreign currency exchange impact to a range of 0.5% to 1%, from 0.5% earlier.

Third-quarter net sales rose 9.7% to $2 billion, largely in line with analysts' average estimate, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Combined sales at Zimmer's hips and knees units totaled $1.30 billion, slightly above the $1.29 billion expected.

Sales at its sports medicine, extremities and trauma unit rose 19% to $541.5 million, but fell short of estimates of $552.96 million.

The company posted adjusted profit per share of $1.90, beating the average estimate of $1.87.

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey and Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)