Stifel analyst Rick Wise lowered his price target for Zimmer Biomet to $135 from $150 after revisiting his Buy thesis. In a research note to investors, Wise says that he remains confident in his long-term Buy thesis, and believes management will continue to execute on critical turnaround initiatives in 2019, driving steadily-improving top-line results and facilitate continued, substantial debt pay-down. He sees significant value in shares at current levels.

Piper Jaffray analyst Matt O'Brien says Zimmer Biomet's (ZBH) FDA clearance of its Rosa Knee system for robotically-assisted total knee surgeries happened earlier than expected. The most differentiating feature of Rosa Knee, when compared to Stryker's (SYK) Mako, is the proprietary X-Atlas imaging software that translates pre-op x-ray images into a 3D-model for anatomical mapping during surgery, O'Brien tells investors in a research note. The analyst, however, believes the timing of full commercial launch later this year is "likely still a bit optimistic," and he expects something more meaningful in 2020. As such, he thinks Zimmer's approval will not hurt Stryker's knee share-taking position over the next several years, but should help Zimmer "regain some share." O'Brien keeps a Neutral rating on Zimmer Biomet with a $120 price target.

SunTrust analyst Bruce Nudell raised his price target on Zimmer Biomet to $135 and kept his Buy rating after its Q4 results and FY19 guidance, saying the quarter also showed improving supply issues and abating FDA worries. The analyst further expects the company's new products to improve its outlook, with the "flagship" knee franchise set to "rebound with the full launch of the Persona revision,cement-less and partial offerings as well as the introduction of the ROSA robotic solution."

Following meetings at American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons this week, Baird analyst Jeff Johnson said that Stryker (SYK) remained the "clear robotics leader," and added that Smith & Nephew (SNN), Zimmer Biomet (ZBH), and to a lesser extent Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) were all "making progress." The analyst came away most positive on Stryker, due to momentum in multiple pipelines, and Wright Medical (WMGI), due to its core business strength and its intriguing pipeline. Johnson has an Outperform rating and $201 price target on Stryker, and Outperform rating and $36 price target on Wright Medical Group.