"Emergency Medical Services Corp. (NYSE: EMS) is the leading provider of emergency medical services in the United States," notes growth stock expert David Fessler.
In The Oxford Club advisory, he explains, "Every three seconds, one of its staff member touches a patient in some facet of the patient care process: non-critical patient transport, 911-response services, emergency room staffing and other similar services."
"Hopefully you'll never require the services of an emergency medical crew -- like I did -- when I suffered a brain aneurism three years ago. I'll be forever grateful for their quick response and professional training. They probably saved my life.
"Volunteers staff many of these ambulance corps, but larger towns and cities are increasingly contracting these services out to highly trained professionals. The biggest and best just happens to be Colorado-based Emergency Medical Services.
"The company's American Medical Response division (AMR) is America's leading provider of ambulance services. it maintains operations in 44 states and Washington, DC.
"Over four million patients are transported and treated by AMR's 18,500 paramedics, EMTs, doctors, nurses and support staff each year.
"Over 90% of AMR's net revenue last year was generated under exclusive contracts with hospitals and other health care facilities -- a testament to the company's high level of service.
"When you're the country's largest provider of ambulance services, economies of scale allow you to do things competitors can only dream of.
"AMR's ambulances -- called Safety Concept Vehicles -- are custom built to exact specifications. These cutting-edge medical facilities have state-of-the-art, first-responder equipment, able to wirelessly transmit vital patient data to hospital medical staff.
"The company's second division, EmCare Holdings, EmCare is the leading outsourced provider of physician services to hospital ERs and inpatient physician services.
"Formed in 1972, EmCare forms contracted partnerships with hospitals -- 474 of them as of the end of last year -- and treats over eight million patients a year.
"This is all paying off in spades for EMS. In the quarter just ended, the company posted a 41% rise in quarterly profits, easily beating analysts estimates for the quarter. Expenses were down too, helped primarily by lower fuel costs.
"The company netted 86 new contract wins since the beginning of 2008, most of which immediately became accretive to earnings.
"It's become a profitable pattern for EMS: It's beaten estimates for 11 out of the last 12 quarters -- a track record matched by few other companies in any sector. The shares remain a good buy at current levels."
Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a free daily overview of the favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.
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