Free Trial

Here’s Why Surgery Partners Could Be the Next Hot Takeover

Surgeon and his assistant performing cosmetic surgery in hospital operating room. Surgeon in mask during medical procadure. Breast augmentation, enlargement, enhancement

Key Points

  • Surgery Partners is the third-largest operator of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the United States, with over 200 locations.
  • ASCs provide non-emergency surgical procedures for up to 50% less than general acute care hospitals, resulting in cost savings for both patients and insurance carriers.
  • Health insurance companies that are evolving into integrated healthcare companies and Surgery Partners would be a solid fit.
  • Interested in Surgery Partners? Here are five stocks we like better.
Remove Ads

With the stock markets trading near highs again and the start of a lower interest rates cycle, the backdrop for mergers, spin-offs, and acquisitions continues to improve. Elevated stock prices are just as good as currency when trying to acquire another company. The Sept. 24, 2024, announcement that Smartsheet Inc. NYSE: SMAR will be acquired by Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners for $56.50 per share or $8.4 billion is a prime example of the improving backdrop.

Surgery Partners Today

Surgery Partners, Inc. stock logo
SGRYSGRY 90-day performance
Surgery Partners
$23.86 -0.09 (-0.36%)
As of 03:08 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Polygon.io. Learn more.
52-Week Range
$19.50
$33.97
Price Target
$36.63

Prior to the news, plenty of speculation and rumors were swirling around about the work collaboration software provider. Investors looking for another potential and logical buyout candidate in the healthcare sector can take a close look at Surgery Partners Inc. NASDAQ: SGRY.

The Acute Care Boom Is Real, and Health Insurers Are Scrambling

The acute care boom has been a growth driver for Surgery Partners, which owns and operates surgical hospitals, centers and ambulatory facilities, providing high-quality care at lower prices than general hospitals. The acute care surge that started in the fall of 2023 shocked health insurers like Humana Inc. NYSE: HUM, causing them to lower their earnings forecasts for the next two years. There was a significant rise in inpatient utilization from their Medicare Advantage members.

Due to the significantly lower prices, patients and insurance carriers prefer non-emergency procedures to be often handled at these specialized facilities rather than acute care hospitals. Their specialized facilities have lower overhead, more efficiency and less complexity.

Procedures performed at surgical centers can cost 50% less than at a traditional hospital. Many of these facilities have already negotiated rates with the major insurers, resulting in lower out-of-pocket expenses for the patients as well. Due to the lower costs, health insurance companies prefer outpatient surgical centers and ambulatory facilities over hospitals.

Remove Ads

Surgery Partners Raises 2024 Revenue Forecast

Surgery Partners reported their second-quarter 2024 EPS of 21 cents, beating analyst expectations by a penny. Revenues rose 14.2% YoY to $762.1 million, beating consensus estimates of $735.94 million. The key metrics were strong as same-facility revenues grew 10% YoY, and same-facility cases rose 3.9% YoY. The company raised its full-year 2024 revenue forecast to at least $3.075 billion, beating consensus estimates of $3.06 billion.

Takeover Speculation Makes Sense for Integrated Health Care Transformation

Insurance carriers love Surgery Partners so much that there is speculation that UnitedHealth Group NYSE: UNH may be interested in acquiring them. Private equity firms are also very interested in the nation's third-largest ambulatory surgical center (ABC) operator. As more insurers evolve into integrated healthcare companies like Kaiser Permanente and as CVS Health Co. NYSE: CVS did with its acquisition of Aetna Health Insurance, interest in Surgery Partners will continue to grow. Bain Capital is Surgery Partners' largest shareholder, with a 39% stake.

SGRY Is Forming an Ascending Triangle Breakout

An ascending triangle pattern is comprised of a flat-top horizontal upper trendline resistance converging with an ascending (rising) lower trendline support to meet at the apex point. The breakout occurs when the stock surges through the upper trendline, and a breakdown occurs when the stock falls below the rising trendline.

Surgery Partners SGRY stock chart

SGRY formed the flat-top upper trendline resistance at $33.95 after it deflected two breakout attempts. This pushed shares to the rising lower trendline and indicated growing demand as buyers raised their bids. The anchored daily VWAP support is at $29.15. SGRY continues to move closer to the apex point, where it can break out through the $33.95 upper trendline or fall below the $31.75 lower trendline.

The daily relative strength index (RSI) is stalled at the 58-band. Fibonacci (Fib) pullback support levels are at $31.08, $29.95, $28.35, and $25.78.

Surgery Partners’ average consensus price target is $39.86, and its highest analyst price target is $50.00.  

Should You Invest $1,000 in Surgery Partners Right Now?

Before you consider Surgery Partners, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Surgery Partners wasn't on the list.

While Surgery Partners currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

12 Stocks Corporate Insiders are Abandoning Cover

If a company's CEO, COO, and CFO were all selling shares of their stock, would you want to know? MarketBeat just compiled its list of the twelve stocks that corporate insiders are abandoning. Complete the form below to see which companies made the list.

Get This Free Report
Jea Yu
About The Author

Jea Yu

Contributing Author

Trading Strategies

Like this article? Share it with a colleague.

Companies Mentioned in This Article

CompanyMarketRank™Current PricePrice ChangeDividend YieldP/E RatioConsensus RatingConsensus Price Target
Surgery Partners (SGRY)
2.6317 of 5 stars
$23.86-0.4%N/A-49.70Moderate Buy$36.63
Humana (HUM)
4.2203 of 5 stars
$263.93-0.2%1.34%26.57Hold$285.68
UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
4.9086 of 5 stars
$526.46+2.0%1.60%33.97Buy$629.32
Compare These Stocks  Add These Stocks to My Watchlist 

Remove Ads

Featured Articles and Offers

3 Bank Stocks Defying Market Turmoil—Cheap Options Trades!

3 Bank Stocks Defying Market Turmoil—Cheap Options Trades!

While tech giants are down, "boring" bank stocks are quietly outperforming. Find out how to leverage these banks' stability for significant gains!

Related Videos

Why Palantir’s Future Just Got a Massive Boost
7 Flying Car Stocks to Buy Before the Sector Really Takes Off
Archer Aviation: Sinking Now, Soaring Soon?

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines

Remove Ads