Medical device companies: These 15 performed the best in 2017

[Image from Unsplash]

Among the most successful medical device companies of 2017, there were two themes: innovation and breadth of services.

That was the major takeaway of an MDO analysis of the stock performance of the 100 largest publicly traded medtech companies in the world.

What does innovation mean? Think Align Technology (Nasdaq:ALGN) and how it brought 3D printing to bear on a dental product screaming for better customization: braces. Or there’s Abiomed (Nasdaq:ABMD) and its tiny Impella heart pump, which is meant to help restore blood flow and allow the heart to rest after a heart attack.

For breadth of services, look no farther than Integer (NYSE: ITGR). Created out of the 2015 merger of Greatbatch and Lake Region Medical, Integer is a giant medical device contract manufacturer that could theoretically do almost anything for an OEM.

Most – about four-fifths – of the world’s 100 largest medical device companies saw their stock price increase this year. But Align, Abiomed, Integer and other top companies enjoyed an especially exceptional performance.

Here are the 15 best-performing medical device stocks of 2017, ranked by their stock growth percentage.

Next>>

And click here to download a performance spreadsheet of the 100 stocks>>

From the Hospital Bed to the Finish Line Heidi Dohse was diagnosed with a rare arrhythmia in 1982 and has been 100% pacemaker dependent for over 30 years. With the help of wearable devices, she has been able to pursue her dream to become a competitive cyclist. You can hear her story and more when you register for DeviceTalks Boston, October 8-10. REGISTER NOW Use code FINISHLINE to save an additional 10%.