Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) develops
and manufactures proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology and radiology. Offerings include the catheters, guide wires, inflation devices, needles, and tubing used in heart stent procedures, pacemaker placements, and angioplasties. As well, Merit makes products for endoscopy, dialysis, and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) are major competitors.
The firm pleased investors last week, when it guided Q2 EPS to 19-21 cents and Q2 revenues to about $57.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 16 cents and $55.77 million. Gross margins for the quarter were estimated at 42.7%, which would be a 500 basis point improvement from Q2'07. CL King subsequently upgraded the shares to "accumulate".



