Continue reading It's now or never with Covidien

It's now or never with Covidien originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) reported fourth quarter profits that topped Wall Street's expectations," says Geoffrey Seiler.

In his BullMarket,com advisory, he forecasts, "We expect to see continued operational improvements in the months ahead." Here, the advisor reiterates his buy rating and boosts his price target for the stock.

The advisor observes,, "The company reported a net profit of $436 million, or 44 cents per share, for the quarter ended August 31st, a -1.5% decrease the same quarter a year ago. Results topped the Wall Street consensus by 5 cents share and edged the full-year EPS estimate by 3 cents.

Continue reading Walgreen (WAG): More healthy returns

Walgreen (WAG): More healthy returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Being contrarians, we are always looking for laggard stocks with the potential to rebound," says turnaround expert George Putnam.

In his The Turnaround Letter, the advisor reviews four medical and pharmaceutical stocks that have been among the worst performers in the S&P 100 since the market bottom. Despite their poor performance, he thinks they may be due for a rebound.

"We think that investors who got left behind by the first leg of the market rally are struggling to catch up.

Continue reading Turnaround expert targets laggard pharmaceuticals

Turnaround expert targets laggard pharmaceuticals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), a manufacturer of a whole host of medical devices involved with the management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, released its Q1 data on Tuesday. Revenues increased 6%, and adjusted earnings per share came in at 79 cents (some of the adjustments were related to restructuring and litigation issues).

The company was able to grow the adjusted-per-share bottom line by 10%. In addition, according to Reuters, Medtronic beat estimates by a penny. Shareholders should keep in mind, however, that the quarter benefited from an extra week.

Continue reading Medtronic increases adjusted income, beats by a penny

Medtronic increases adjusted income, beats by a penny originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has vast holdings, but its strategy is simple: Support a deep pipeline of new drugs and medical devices with an aggressive acquisition strategy and cost controls," notes blue chip investor Richard Moroney.

In his Dow Theory Forecasts, he adds, "And despite the recession, J&J has kept its financial footing, remaining one of the few companies with the top credit rating of AAA." Here's his long term outlook.

"This year the U.S. pharmaceutical market is expected to contract for the first time in 50 years as fewer people visit doctors or start new therapies for chronic conditions.

"Beyond 2009, an economic recovery should reinvigorate J&J, though it is too early to determine whether health-care reform will help or harm the company.

Continue reading Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A triple A play

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A triple A play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), an expert in medical devices and a colleague of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), reported earnings for the second quarter on Monday after the closing bell. Wall Street liked the results. Shares of the company were bid higher by 5.8% in the after-hours session.

Net sales increased 7%. On an adjusted basis, Boston Scientific made 20 cents per share. According to Earnings.com, the business was supposed to bring in only 13 cents per share. Thus, management did a superb job of beating the analysts at their precious game. Unfortunately, Boston Scientific made the same amount of adjusted profit in the year-ago period, so there wasn't any growth on the bottom line.

Continue reading Boston Scientific tops estimates and guides higher

Boston Scientific tops estimates and guides higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The U.S.'s demographics are in Covidien's favor

The U.S.'s demographics are in Covidien's favor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Generic drug mak Teva Pharmaceutical, Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) delivered respectable earnings results," says Jack Adamo, who added the stock his Insiders Plus model portfolio.

"The company's earnings were up 4% on a proforma non-GAAP basis. In this case, that's the correct measurement. Net GAAP earnings were up tremendously, but aren't really representative of normal business factors.

"Although Teva gets much of its earnings from its proprietary multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone, its primary business is generic drugs. That segment is inherently lumpy because profitability is greatly affected by which generic drugs it brings to market before any other generic company.

Continue reading Teva (TEVA): Generic profits

Teva (TEVA): Generic profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Genomics may be the 'next big thing' after the Internet and biotech. Finding those who can make money early onwill likely pay dividends to investors," expla]in small cap growth stock specialist Jim Oberweis, Jr.

In his The Oberweis Report, he explains the "politics" behind this bullish scenario as well as his top pick for log-term investors seeking exposure to the developing healthcare technologies if genomics and personalized medicine.

"We believe that the biotech boom was a direct consequence of rising National Health Institute (NIH) funding, cheap equity capital, and the ability to patent NIH-funded discoveries. And we see that happening again.

Continue reading Genomics: The next big thing?

Genomics: The next big thing? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Health-care stocks have been volatile of late, as the prospects for significant healthcare reform are impacting the group," notes Chuck Carlson.

In The DRIP Investor, he explains, "Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has not been immune to the weakness. And while these shares could remain under pressure in the short run, the company's prospects are significantly brighter than the typical health-care stock."

"First, Johnson & Johnson's diversified business portfolio, which includes pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and consumer products, should help to smooth out results and cushion declines in any one area.

Continue reading Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 'A buy for any portfolio'

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 'A buy for any portfolio' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is continuing its long record of rewarding shareholders," notes Alex Kolb In Zacks Elite, pointing to its 341st consecutive quarter of dividends since 1924.

"Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company that develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics.

"The company employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

"The company recently released new data, showing that a combination of its new TriLipix triglycerides medicine and a low dose of AstraZeneca's Crestor cholesterol drug are better than the individual pills for treating heart problems.

Continue reading Abbott (ABT): An 'income machine'

Abbott (ABT): An 'income machine' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) makes the Genome Analyzer, which is the workhorse of the genetic medicine revolution," says growth expert Mike Cintolo in The Cabot Top Ten Report.

"The Illumina Genome Analyzer is used by genomic research centers, academic institutions, agriculture and livestock companies, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies all over the world.

"In the fourth quarter of 2008, for example, the company launched the In? nium HD HumanCytoSNP-12 BeadChip, a 12 sample BeadChip priced as low as $125 per sample that enables researchers to analyze nearly 300,000 genetic markers per sample.

Continue reading Illumina (ILMN): Genetic workhorse

Illumina (ILMN): Genetic workhorse originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Becton, Dickinson knows steady drips are steady profits

Becton, Dickinson knows steady drips are steady profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In The Oberweis Report, growth expert Jim Oberweis. Jr. sees upside for risk-oriented investors in two diagnostics firms: Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) and Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR).

"Myriad develops molecular diagnostic products focused in the area of predictive caner diagnostics. It currently sells five genetic tests (and just recently announced the launch of a 6th test in December) focused on cancer and women's health.

"The bulk of their revenues currently come from their BRACAnalysis test for breast cancer. This test is the only one of its kind available to detect a faulty version of BRAC genes in women, which has been linked to significantly increased chances of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

Continue reading Diagnostics duo: Myriad (MYGN) and Thoratec (THOR)

Diagnostics duo: Myriad (MYGN) and Thoratec (THOR) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Long-time healthcare investors can be forgiven their confusion; drug stocks are supposed to be defensive, but many of the largest drugmakers have been pounded," observes Richard Moroney.

Nevertheless, in the blue chip Dow Theory Forecasts, the advisor sees two favorite healthcare and pharmaceutical issues as long-term opportunities: AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

Moroney explains, "Healthcare companies' profits are supposed to remain fairly steady regardless of the economic situation. But hospitals' capital spending fell in the December quarter, and many consumers are putting off medical care because they cannot afford it.

Continue reading Healthcare favorites for long-term growth

Healthcare favorites for long-term growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The company has been around for more than 120 years. It currently operates in more than 130 countries, selling hundreds of products, including Ultane (an inhaled anesthetic), the anti-infective Biaxin XL, and TriCor and Niaspan to manage cholesterol.

"However, Abbott's biggest growth driver is Humira, a blockbuster drug that targets autoimmune disorders. The drug has received FDA approval to treat a number of diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

Continue reading Abbott (ABT): Contrarian sees healthy gains

Abbott (ABT): Contrarian sees healthy gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One of my favor defensive sectors is healthcare," says Elliott Gue; the contributing editor to Personal Finance looks to Quality Systems (NSDQ: QSII), a company that helps automate medical records.

Quantitative analyst Richard Moroney also sees opportunity in the same niche sector. In his Upside newsletter, he looks to a competing play, Cerner (NASDAQ: CERN). Here are their reviews.

"The President made health care a centerpiece of his campaign, including investments in health care-related information technology (IT).

"Health care IT systems can save doctors' offices and hospitals significant administrative costs as well as prevent mistakes. In addition, some major health insurance firms are already putting heavy pressure on their physician networks to adopt these systems."

"Medical offices and hospitals are seeking to automate many functions, from storing patient records online to automatically submitting insurance claims for reimbursement.

"It's estimated that as much as 90% of health care records at smaller medical practices are still maintained in paper form, while even bigger hospitals keep close to half of their records manually.

"Quality Systems, a holding in our growth portfolio, is a leading provider of such systems. It sells software used to manage electronic patient records, billing, scheduling and other common administrative functions for medical and dental practices.

Continue reading Obama's plans boost electronic medical records firms

Obama's plans boost electronic medical records firms originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Bull markets have been few and far between this summer; one of the few sectors that looks to have re-entered a bull trend is biotechnology," says international investing expert Nick Vardy.

In his Global Bull Market Alert, he explains, "The S&P Biotech ETF (ASE: XBI) looks to capitalize on this traditionally highly volatile and boom bust burdened sector." Here's his bullish assessment.

"Why the sudden merger and acquisitions frenzy in biotech? Put simply, 'Big Pharma' is cash-rich but innovation-poor.

"As patents on huge profit generators such as Pfizer's Lipitor expire, the traditional pharmaceutical industry is eager to refill its emptying drug pipelines.

"On the one hand, Big Pharma hopes giant acquisitions jump start pharmaceuticals' sputtering innovation machines. On the other hand, existing biotech blockbusters would also hedge against the coming collapse in earnings from drugs that are coming off patent.

Continue reading New biotech bull? Bet on S&P Biotech ETF (XBI)

New biotech bull? Bet on S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Stericycle (NASDAQ SRCL) is a near-monopoly in an essential but unglamorous area, making its an excellent investment in an uncertain economy," says growth stock expert Dave Dyer.

In his Dave Dyer's Newsletter, he states, "If you have something that is dangerous, contaminated, or nasty, and you want it to go away safely, you can rely on SRCL, the leader in medical waste."

"I first recommended the stock almost a year ago, but there is so much good news that I thought this would be a good time to recommend it again.

"And while the stock's 12.4% gain since last August is not spectacular, the S&P 500 is down 14.1% over the same time period -- so SRCL has outperformed the market by a wide margin.

"SRCL is North America's largest provider of medical waste services. In fact, if a major customer wants to contract with a single customer for nationwide services, SRCL is the only choice. Even if the market has not really bottomed out, this is an excellent stock to consider because its business is almost entirely immune to economic cycles.

Continue reading Stericycle (SRCL): Medical waste firm attracts insider buying

Stericycle (SRCL): Medical waste firm attracts insider buying originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well today I lost some cash, at least 'on paper.' And if I believe what I read in the business news it is because of the comments of a single analyst. Now that's power. It has to make you wonder. Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), one of my biggest holdings, finished the day at $244.30 down $33.27. OUCH!

Shares of medical device maker Intuitive Surgical Inc. fell sharply Tuesday as an Oppenheimer & Co. analyst said the company's strong growth will slow in 2008 on fewer U.S. sales of the da Vinci surgical system, due to market saturation and a lack of adoption by gynecologists for hysterectomy procedures.

Analyst Amit Hazan said Intuitive Surgical is the most expensive stock in the medical technology sector, a value driven by both the company's robust growth rates and by results consistently beating Wall Street expectations by wide margins. He is correct that ISRG is expensive. Even after todays losses it still is trading at a P/E ratio of about 80.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical drops 12% today

Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical drops 12% today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.