Zimmer Biomet Hits Strong Stride in Q1 2026 with 2.9% Organic Sales Growth and $2.09 Adjusted EPS
On April 28th, 2026, Zimmer Biomet hosted a conference call to discuss their first quarter earnings for the year. The company's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Iván Tornos, took center stage to share his thoughts on the quarter's performance.
Tornos expressed gratitude towards the company's team members around the world, attributing the strong start to the year to their determination, discipline, and dedication to customers and patients. He highlighted that the momentum was a direct reflection of the strength of the team, the resilience of the business, and the impact they could have when staying focused on innovating and executing for their customers.
The company's first quarter results showed strong progress towards their 2026 sales growth commitments, EPS, and free cash flow commitments. On an organic constant currency basis, Zimmer Biomet grew sales by 2.9%, which is at the upper end of their annual 2026 revenue guidance range. They also delivered adjusted EPS of $2.09, a 15% year-over-year increase.
One notable benefit in the first quarter was a $0.20 gain from tariff-related items relative to expectations. Tornos highlighted that the company's U.S. business increased by 3.2%, while international growth came in at 2.5%. These results reflect healthy end markets, strong technology sales, and continued momentum from their recently launched new products.
In the U.S., knee growth was driven by a greater than 20% increase in partial knee sales, particularly through the Oxford Partial Knee cementless knee, which is the only partial cementless knee on the market. This performance was partially offset by pressure in legacy total knee implants such as NexGen and Vanguard, which are being phased out as part of their brand rationalization strategy.
International knees grew 1.3% for the quarter, while the U.S. hip franchise saw a 5% increase due to growing traction with their hip triple play, Z1, which now represents nearly 40% of their U.S. hip sales. This performance demonstrates the company's ability to adapt and innovate in response to changing market conditions.
Zimmer Biomet's strong start to the year is a testament to their commitment to delivering for their customers and patients. With a clear focus on people and culture, operational excellence, and innovation and diversification, the company continues to make progress towards its strategic priorities.
