Down 40% but not out: Is Pro Medicus the buy of the decade right now?

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) has been on a rollercoaster ride these last few years.

The healthcare imaging software company has consistently delivered soaring margins, blue-chip US hospital contracts, and a share price that has defied gravity.

However, that story has changed since the beginning of this year.

After peaking above $230 earlier this year, Pro Medicus shares remain down roughly 40%, even after a recent rebound.

For many investors, the sell-off raises a big question: Is this finally the buying opportunity long-term investors have been waiting for?

The Pro Medicus Bull Case

Despite the sharp share price correction, the business itself has continued to fire on all cylinders.

In its HY26 result, Pro Medicus reported revenue growth of 28.4% to $124.8 million, while underlying profit before tax climbed almost 30%.

Even more impressively, EBIT margins expanded to an extraordinary 73%.

Importantly, Pro Medicus is also debt-free and sitting on more than $220 million in cash and financial assets.

On the operational side, Pro Medicus’ flagship Visage imaging platform continued to gain traction across major US healthcare systems.

In recent weeks alone, Pro Medicus has announced multiple significant US contract wins and renewals, including a $37 million extension with Northwestern Medicine.

This growth is encouraging due to the stickiness of Pro Medicus’ contracts.

Pro Medicus software is embedded into hospital imaging workflows, and these systems become deeply integrated and difficult to replace, creating strong switching costs and recurring revenue streams.

The Risks

Of course, there are still risks.

Even after the sell-off, Pro Medicus is still quite expensive when looking at traditional valuation metrics.

As a result, volatility could remain extreme, and management has very little room for earnings disappointment.

Still, quality businesses rarely become genuinely “cheap”.

Instead, the market sometimes offers investors the chance to buy elite companies at more attractive entry points.

AI disruption is another issue to consider.

However, given the specialty nature of Pro Medicus’ software and its critical role within hospital operating systems, it is doubtful that AI will replace Pro Medicus’ product offering.

Bell Potter seems to agree more with the bull case for Pro Medicus, reiterating its buy rating, and maintaining a $240 price target following earnings.

Foolish Takeaway

If management continues executing, the current pullback may offer an attractive entry point for some investors.

With strong fundamentals and a sticky revenue base, Pro Medicus is well positioned to deliver long into the future.

For investors with a long-term horizon, this stock is starting to look interesting again.

The post Down 40% but not out: Is Pro Medicus the buy of the decade right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.