Kestra Medical at Stifel 2026 Healthcare Conference: growth, margins rise

On November 11, 2026, Kestra Medical (KMTS) showcased a rapidly growing business at the Stifel Healthcare Conference, highlighting its market share gains and expanding product portfolio. The company noted strong demand for its wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), a market that saw 14% growth in dollar terms, driven by its market entry.

Kestra's first-quarter fiscal 2027 gross margin stood at 56.5%, marking 12 consecutive quarters of expanding margins. Management raised full-year guidance by approximately $4 million, reflecting a $2 million increase beyond expectations in the first quarter. The company plans to expand its footprint with 30 to 40 additional sales territories this year, following a 50-territory addition the previous year.

Kestra is leveraging artificial intelligence across its operations, from outbound patient connections to revenue cycle management, aiming to enhance efficiency and cost reduction without a proportional increase in headcount. The wearable monitoring and therapy platform, ASSURE, is set for further enhancements, with new capabilities expected both in the near term and over the next five years.

CEO Brian Webster emphasized the market's acceleration, attributing a 14% dollar growth to Kestra's disruptive entry, which has increased category awareness. The company maintains a robust balance sheet, with liquid assets surpassing short-term obligations and a strong current ratio of 4.69. Clinical data, including an ACE-PAS registry of 21,000 patients, support the therapeutic value of WCDs, particularly for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure patients.

This registry, coupled with parallel data from a major payer, creates a substantial evidence base for the category, underscoring Kestra's commitment to expanding access and improving patient outcomes.