GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Acquisitions
In November 2025, Intuitive acquired a company that develops integrated robotics and artificial intelligence solutions to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of tissue assessment during biopsy procedures at the point of care. The total purchase consideration for the acquisition was not material.
There were no material acquisitions in 2024 or 2023.
Pending Acquisitions
On January 21, 2025, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the current Intuitive technology distributors ab medica, Abex, Excelencia Robotica, and their affiliates to acquire the da Vinci and Ion distribution businesses in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, and San Marino, and associated territories. The transaction consists of an upfront cash payment of approximately €319 million, subject to certain closing adjustments. The Company expects to complete the transaction in the first half of 2026, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Goodwill
The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in millions):
Amount
Balance as of December 31, 2023
$348.7 
Acquisition activity— 
Translation and other(1.2)
Balance as of December 31, 2024
347.5 
Acquisition activity22.3 
Translation and other0.5 
Balance as of December 31, 2025
$370.3 
The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test and determined that no impairment existed. As of December 31, 2025, there has been no impairment of goodwill.
Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the components of gross intangible asset, accumulated amortization, and net intangible asset balances as of December 31, 2025, and 2024 (in millions):
December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
Carrying
Amount
Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
Carrying
Amount
Patents and developed technology$192.8 $(182.8)$10.0 $203.3 $(185.4)$17.9 
Customer relationships28.2 (27.1)1.1 27.3 (22.3)5.0 
Distribution rights and others— — — 1.2 (1.1)0.1 
Total definite-lived intangible assets
$221.0 $(209.9)$11.1 $231.8 $(208.8)$23.0 
In-process R&D
6.0 — 6.0 — — — 
Total intangible assets
$227.0 $(209.9)$17.1 $231.8 $(208.8)$23.0 
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $13.2 million, $16.7 million, and $20.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets as of December 31, 2025, is as follows (in millions):
Fiscal YearAmount
2026$5.7 
20273.0 
20281.4 
20290.6 
20300.4 
Total$11.1 
The preceding expected amortization expense is an estimate. Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, measurement period adjustments to intangible assets, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, impairments of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets, and other events.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 3, 2026Showing above
2024Jan 31, 2025
2023Jan 31, 2024
2022Feb 10, 2023
2021Feb 3, 2022
2020Feb 10, 2021
2019Feb 7, 2020
2018Feb 4, 2019
2017Feb 2, 2018
2016Feb 6, 2017
2015Feb 2, 2016

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.