Novanta’s second quarter was marked by strong execution in its core medical and automation markets, but the market responded negatively to the results. Management pointed to robust double-digit growth in the Advanced Surgery and Robotics Automation businesses, driven by new product launches and sustained procedure growth in healthcare. CEO Matthijs Glastra highlighted the company’s new product revenue growing over 50% year-over-year and customer orders up 10%, indicating demand strength. However, challenges persisted in industrial capital equipment and precision medicine segments, due in part to trade disruptions and sluggish end-market dynamics.

Is now the time to buy NOVT? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Novanta’s Q2 Earnings Call

• Lee M. Jagoda (CJS Securities) asked about the organic growth outlook for 2026 and the biggest drivers apart from market conditions. CEO Matthijs Glastra cited continued ramps in advanced surgery, physical AI robotics, and strong design win momentum as primary drivers.
• Lee M. Jagoda (CJS Securities) probed whether industrial and precision medicine businesses had reached their low points. Glastra responded that industrial backlog is building and sequential improvement is expected, while technology transitions in life sciences should also drive stabilization.
• Brian Paul Drab (William Blair) inquired about the status of $35 million in China-related revenue at risk from tariffs. CFO Robert Buckley said the guidance assumes this exposure is not recovered and described the company’s mitigation strategy and progress with design wins in China.
• Brian Paul Drab (William Blair) asked if design wins in China spanned medical, industrial, or robotics. Buckley said most were industrial and robotics, with humanoid robotics exposure primarily in the U.S. and Europe.
• Rob Mason (Baird) asked if the warehouse automation contract included the full range of Novanta’s technologies. Glastra confirmed it involves both sensing and servo drive components, and said capacity expansion will be needed as these applications scale.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Going forward, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the ramp-up and market acceptance of new products, especially in advanced surgery and robotics; (2) the execution and savings from cost reduction and regional manufacturing strategies to mitigate tariff impacts; and (3) the company’s ability to complete and integrate new acquisitions that diversify and strengthen its portfolio. Successful navigation of trade dynamics and stabilization in end markets will also be critical.

Novanta currently trades at $121.19, down from $124.19 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it’s free).

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.