Spectra Energy Corp. (SE), BMC Software, Inc. (BMC): Evening Out Risk in Your Investments

Other companies didn’t do quite as well over the last year, but could see their fortunes change in the coming years. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) sank 20%, with the robotic surgical equipment leader experiencing a bumpy year. Causing the bumps were bearish comments from a research company, questions about the efficacy of its systems, and a warning letter from the FDA. Some legal worries were eased recently, though, with a victory in court, but some reasonably wonder whether the company’s growth prospects are slowing down. The company’s competitive advantages and dominance in its promising market give it significant potential, but not without risk. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) recently roughly doubled its share buyback plans.

Edwards Lifesciences Corp (NYSE:EW) shed 18%, much of that happening in April, when the heart-valve maker posted disappointing earnings results for its first quarter and lowered its guidance. It has disappointed before, and also has to contend with some cranky workers. Its second quarter was different, though, exceeding expectations on solid sales of its Sapien valve. It gained approval in Japan, as well.

The big picture
A well-chosen ETF can grant you instant diversification across any industry or group of companies — and make investing in and profiting from it that much easier.

The article Evening Out Risk in Your Investments originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Selena Maranjian.

Longtime Fool contributor Selena Maranjian, whom you can follow on Twitter, owns shares of Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool recommends Intuitive Surgical and Spectra Energy..The Motley Fool owns shares of BMC Software and Intuitive Surgical.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.