Thursday, August 21, 2014

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Steris (NYSE: STE  ) �-- a manufacturer of infection prevention, contamination control, and surgical support products for the health-care industry -- jumped as much as 10% after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results.

So what: For the quarter, Steris' shareholders witnessed revenue increase by 10% to $428.2 million as EPS shrank modestly to $0.70 from $0.76 in the year-ago period. Although Steris blamed European weakness and the medical device excise tax for its weaker bottom-line results, both figures topped the $406 million in revenue and $0.65 in EPS that the Street had been expecting. The biggest boost came from the company's life sciences segment, which saw operating income grow by 14%. For the upcoming year, Steris issued guidance calling for revenue growth of 8%-10% (implying $1.62 billion to $1.65 billion) and EPS of $2.47-$2.60. Current consensus estimates are for revenue of $1.57 billion and EPS of $2.49.

Top 10 US Stocks To Invest In 2015: AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. (AMP)

Ameriprise Financial Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company�s Advice and Wealth Management segment offers financial planning and advice, as well as brokerage and banking services primarily to retail clients through its financial advisors. The Asset Management segment provides investment advice and investment products to retail and institutional clients. The Annuities segment offers variable and fixed annuity products to retail customers through affiliated and unaffiliated advisors, and financial institutions. The Protection segment provides various protection products through financial advisors to address the protection and risk management needs of retail clients, including life, disability income, and property-casualty insurance. The company was formerly known as American Express Financial Corporation and changed its name to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. in September 2005. Ame riprise Financial Inc. was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By U.S. News]

    Getty Images Borrowers have been enjoying historically low interest rates since the Great Recession hit. For those with solid credit histories, taking out a mortgage, auto loan or personal loan has never been cheaper. But all that could change. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have started creeping upward, and financial experts say other forms of debt could soon follow suit. "We do anticipate rates going up, but how far and how fast that's going to happen is an open question," says Bradley Roth, managing partner at Kattan Ferretti Financial, a Pittsburgh-based financial planning and investment advisory firm. He expects the rates on 10-year Treasurys, which are currently approaching 3 percent, to reach 3.25 percent before the end of the year and then 4 to 4.25 percent in 2014. A rise in interest rates could soon be reflected throughout the entire financial services space, from credit cards to personal loans to home equity lines of credit. The good news for savers is that rates on deposit accounts could also climb after years of very low, or no, rates of return. Here's a roundup of how to prepare for rising rates, depending on your own money identity: For Savers "Savers should be able to benefit," Roth says, because he expects the rates on certificates of deposit, savings accounts and money market accounts to all go up. However, he warns savers against locking up their money in longer-term products, like CDs, which can make it harder to take advantage of quickly rising rates. Any rise in savings rates, though, will likely come slowly, says Greg McBride, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com. "The Federal Reserve is still 18 to 24 months away from boosting short-term rates, so that will keep a lid on the savings yield," he says. In the meantime, with deposit rate accounts still low, savers can maximize their rate of return by shopping around, says Richard Barrington, senior financial analyst at MoneyRates.com. Online banks tend to offer higher r

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: Jones Soda Co.(JSDA)

Jones Soda Co., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, distributes, and licenses premium beverages primarily in the United States and Canada. The company provides Jones Soda, a carbonated soft drink; Jones Zilch, a zero calories product in black cherry, pomegranate, and vanilla bean flavors; WhoopAss Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink; and WhoopAss Zero Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink with zero sugar. It also offers various products, including soda with customized labels, wearables, candy, and other items online. The company sells and distributes its products through its network of independent distributors and national retail accounts. Jones Soda Co. was founded in 1986 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ: MNST), a mid cap marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, has been a monster of a performer since the end of the financial crisis as the stock is up around 308% over the past five years, but could new or overlooked players like small cap beverage stocks�Jones Soda Co (OTCMKTS: JSDA), Celsius Holdings, Inc (OTCMKTS: CELH) and Konared Corp (OTCBB: KRED) repeat that performance? A look strictly at the long term performance of all three small caps might have you thinking otherwise. After all, none of these small cap beverage stocks are profitable while�the beverage industry can be a long hard expensive slog just to increase market share by one or two points when you are competing for shelf space with industry giants like Pepsi and Coke. But past performance is just that���the past and only part of the story as there is much more to consider about these small cap beverage stocks which could also make them potential acquisition targets by larger beverage players seeking to expand their product line up with innovative products:

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: Mcdermott International Inc (MDR)

McDermott International, Inc. (MII),incorporated on August 11, 1959, is a engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) company. The Company is focused on designing and executing complex offshore oil and gas projects worldwide.

The Company provides fully integrated EPCI services; it delivers fixed and floating production facilities, pipeline installations and subsea systems from concept to commissioning. Its business segments consist of Asia Pacific, Atlantic, Caspian and the Middle East. On March 19, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its former charter fleet business, which operated 10 of the 14 vessels.

Asia Pacific Segment

Through the Company�� Asia Pacific segment, it serves the needs of customers primarily in Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Project focus in this segment includes the fabrication and installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. The majority of its projects in this segment are performed on an EPCI basis. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Singapore office and are supported by additional resources located in Chennai, India and Houston, Texas. The primary fabrication facility for this segment is located on Batam Island, Indonesia. Additionally, through its equity ownership interest in a joint venture, the Company has developed a fabrication facility located in China.

The Company competes with Allseas Marine Contractors S.A.; Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.; EMAS Offshore Pte Ltd.; Heerema Group; Hyundai Heavy Industrial Co., Ltd.; Nippon Steel Corporation; Saipem S.P.A.; Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.; Sapura Kencana Petroleum; Subsea 7 S.A.; Swiber Holdings Ltd., and Technip S.A.

Atlantic Segment

Through the Company�� Atlantic segment, it serves the needs of customers primarily in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Trinidad and West Africa. Project focus in this s! egment includes the fabrication and installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Houston office, and its New Orleans office provides marine engineering capabilities to support its global marine activities. The primary fabrication facilities for this segment are located in Morgan City, Louisiana and Altamira, Mexico.

The Company competes with Allseas Marine Contractors S.A.; Dragados Offshore Mexico, S.A.; Gulf Island Fabrication Inc.; Heerema Group; Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.; KBR, Inc.; Kiewit Corporation; Saipem S.P.A.; Subsea 7 S.A., and Technip S.A.

Middle East Segment

Through the Company�� Middle East segment, which includes the Caspian region, it serves the needs of customers primarily in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Kuwait, India, Azerbaijan, Russia, and the North Sea. Project focus in this segment relates primarily to the fabrication and offshore installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. The majority of its projects in this segment are performed on an EPCI basis. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Dubai, U.A.E., Chennai, India and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia offices and are supported by additional resources from its Houston and Baku, Azerbaijan offices. The primary fabrication facility for this segment is located in Dubai, U.A.E.

The fabrication facilities in each segment are equipped with a variety of heavy-duty construction and fabrication equipment, including cranes, welding equipment, machine tools and robotic and other automated equipment. Project installation is performed by construction vessels, which the Company owns or leases and are stationed throughout the various regions and provide structural lifting/lowering and pipelay services. These construction vessels are supported by its multi-function vessels and chart! ered vess! els from third parties to perform a wide array of installation activities that include anchor handling, pipelay, cable/umbilical lay, dive support and hookup/commissioning.

The Company competes with Hyundai Heavy Industrial Co. Ltd.; Keppel Corporation; Larsen and Toubro Ltd (India); National Petroleum Construction Company (Abu Dhabi); Saipem S.P.A.; Technip S.A.; and Valentine and Swiber Holdings Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Wall Street hedge-fund investor David Einhorn was active in the last quarter of 2013, taking new stakes in technology and energy companies, while trimming existing holdings in insurer Aetna (AET) , NCR Corp (NCR) and WPX Energy (WPX) , according to an SEC filing Friday. Einhorn's Greenlight Capital picked up stakes in Anadarko Petroleum (APC) , BP (BP) , McDermott Intl. (MDR) , Micron Technolgy (MU) and Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) , according to the latest 13F filing. He trimmed stakes in Aetna, Einstein Noah (BAGL) and WPX Energy, according to the filing.

  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, engineering and construction company McDermott International (NYSE: MDR  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    One under-$10 engineering player that's trending very close to triggering a big breakout trade is McDermott International (MDR), an engineering, procurement, construction and installation company engaged on designing and executing complex offshore oil and gas projects. This stock has been hit hard by the bears so far in 2013, with shares off by 31%.

    If you take a look at the chart for MDR, you'll notice that this stock recently gapped down sharply from close to $9 a share to its recent low of $6.68 a share with heavy downside volume. Following that move, shares of MDR have started to rebound off that $6.68 low, and the stock is now starting to move within range of triggering a major breakout trade.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MDR if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $7.74 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 4.33 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MDR will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from August that started near $9 a share. If MDR gets into that gap with volume, then this stock could easily hit $9 to $10 a share.

    Traders can look to buy MDR off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some near-term support levels at $7.04 o around its recent low of $6.68 a share. One can also buy MDR off strength once it takes out $7.74 a share with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

  • [By Nicole Seghetti]

    Texas-based industrial company McDermott International (NYSE: MDR  ) provides construction services to the offshore oil and gas industry. Shares of McDermott plunged in early March, when the company missed analysts' earnings estimates. Project delays and higher costs continue to hamper profitability. Fisher probably sold because of McDermott's weak outlook for 2013.

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: MEDNAX Inc (MD)

MEDNAX, Inc. (MEDNAX), incorporated in 2007, is a provider of physician services, including newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric subspecialties and anesthesia care. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� national network consisted of 1,839 affiliated physicians, including 996 physicians who provided neonatal clinical care, in 34 states and Puerto Rico, primarily within hospital-based neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), to babies born prematurely or with medical complications. The Company has 190 affiliated physicians who provide maternal-fetal care to expectant mothers experiencing complicated pregnancies and obstetrical hospitalist services in many areas where its affiliated neonatal physicians practice. In March 2014, the Company acquired Piedmont Neonatology, P.C.Piedmont Neonatology, P.C, is a private neonatal physician group practice based in Greensboro, North Carolina.

MEDNAX�� network includes other pediatric subspecialists, including 108 physicians providing pediatric cardiology care, 85 physicians providing pediatric intensive care, 43 physicians providing hospital-based pediatric care and six physicians providing pediatric surgical care. In addition, it has 411 physicians who provide anesthesia care to patients in connection with surgical and other procedures, as well as pain management. The Company provides clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals, primarily NICUs, through a team of neonatal physician subspecialists (neonatologists), neonatal nurse practitioners and other pediatric clinicians. Neonatal nurse practitioners are nurses who have training and education in managing the healthcare needs of newborns, infants and their families.

MEDNAX provides outpatient and inpatient clinical care to expectant mothers and their unborn babies through its affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, obstetricians and other clinicians, such as maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, nurse mid-wives, ultrasonogra! phers and genetic counselors. It provides inpatient and outpatient pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through its affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other clinicians, such as pediatric nurse practitioners, echocardiographers and other diagnostic technicians, and exercise physiologists.

The Company�� network includes pediatric intensivists, who are hospital-based pediatricians with education and training in caring for critically ill or injured children and adolescents, pediatric hospitalists, who are hospital-based pediatricians specializing in inpatient care and management of acutely ill children and pediatric surgeons, who provide specialized care for patients ranging from newborns to adolescents, for all problems or conditions affecting children that require surgical intervention. Its affiliated physicians also provide clinical services in other areas of hospitals, particularly in the labor and delivery area and nursery and pediatric department.

The Company provides anesthesia care through a team of physician anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesia assistants (AAs). The Company also provides acute and chronic pain management services. Postoperative acute pain management is often initiated in the hospital recovery room and may continue for the remainder of the hospital stay. Chronic pain services are offered through outpatient medical offices or hospital clinics.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    Looking for some fresh trading ideas in a market environment that isn't offering many? Take a look at MEDNAX Inc. (NYSE:MD) and Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ:WPRT). Though they're pointed in different directions, both MD and WPRT appear to be on the verge of trade-worthy moves. The fact that the two are nearly mirror images of one another is strictly coincidental.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    MEDNAX (NYSE: MD  ) is expected to report Q2 earnings around July 30. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

    The 10-second takeaway
    Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict MEDNAX's revenues will increase 18.4% and EPS will grow 11.5%.

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: 3D Systems Corp. (DDD)

3D Systems Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of 3D printers and related products, print materials, and services. The company�s principle print engines comprise stereolithography, selective laser sintering, multi-jet modeling, film transfer imaging, selective laser melting, and plastic jet printers. Its 3D printers convert data input from computer-aided design software or 3D scanning and sculpting devices to produce physical objects from engineered plastic, metal, and composite print materials. The company also blends, markets, sells, and distributes various consumables, engineered plastics, metal materials, and composites; and offers various software tools, as well as pre-sale and post-sale services, including applications development, installation, warranty, and maintenance. In addition, it provides custom parts services, such as precision plastic and metal parts service and assembly capabilit ies. The company markets its stereolithography materials under the Accura and RenShape; laser sintering materials under the DuraForm, CastForm, and LaserForm; and materials for professional printers under the VisiJet brands. It primarily serves manufacturers of automotive, aerospace, computer, electronic, defense, education, consumer, energy and healthcare products, as well as original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, universities, and independent service bureaus. The company sells its products and services through its direct sales organization, sales agents, resellers, and distributors primarily in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. 3D Systems Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Citigroup has initiated coverage in the 3D printing market positively on Monday: 3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD)�was started as Buy with a $60 price target and Stratasys�Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS)�was started as Buy with a $125 price target.

  • [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

    3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD) is shouldering a short float of 33.1%, and its stock has dropped 7.4% in the past month. DDD is considered the premier company for 3D printing solutions and additive manufacturing, but as in the case with IRBT, skeptics are wary that any hype in this new technology is only feeding a bubble. Activist short seller Andrew Left of Citron Research was one of the more vocal detractors of the 3D printing phenomenon, and released a report in February that accused DDD executives of exaggerating progress in the industry to artificially inflate shares, according to Reuters.

  • [By The Small Investor]

    My maxim as a small investor is "the future belongs to the youth." That holds true during a recovery or despite a recession. I consult my young adult children to reach mutual investment decisions, or give a little seed money to co-opt their interest as stakeholders. We buy name-brand commodities (such as beverages or drugs), entertainment, new products, and those companies in their supply chains that carve new needs and emerging domestic and global markets. I am not buying so long as the government is shutdown. Innovation is the common thread. I will look for long buying opportunities in innovative companies such as 3-D Systems (DDD), 3-M (MMM), Corning (GLW), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Google (GOOG), Nike (NKE), Sam Adams (SAM), Viacom (VIA), Samsung.

  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    Nearest Resistance: $75��br>Nearest Support: $50��br>Catalyst: Earnings Guidance Disappointment

    3D printing stocks are off big today, after 3D Systems (DDD) gave guidance for its preliminary full year 2013 results. Shares of DDD are down more than 18% this afternoon after the firm announced that it expects earnings to fall in the 83 cents to 87 cents range, a level that's well below the 96-cent-per-share consensus. Like JCP, DDD is showing traders a broken chart, which means it makes sense to stay away.

    DDD has spent the last three months forming a head and shoulders top, a bearish pattern that triggered on today's gap down below the pattern's $75 neckline. Now, a move to the next-lowest support level at $50 looks like the high-probability move. Shareholders shouldn't expect a reprieve from selling just yet.

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: OXiGENE Inc.(OXGN)

OXiGENE, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, develops novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases in the United States. It primarily focuses on the development of vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) that disable and destroy abnormal blood vessels, which provide solid tumors a means of growth and survival, as well as associate with visual impairment in various ophthalmological diseases and conditions. The company?s products include ZYBRESTAT, which is in fosbretabulin in anaplastic cancer of the thyroid (FACT) trial?Phase 2/3 study for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer; in fosbretabulin in advanced lung oncology (FALCON) trial?Phase 2 randomized and controlled study to treat non-small cell lung cancer; in Phase 2 Simon two-stage design study for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; and in Phase 2 randomized controlled study to treat platinum-relapsed but platinum sensitive ovarian cancer. Its products also comprise OXi4503 that is in Phase 1 dose-escalation study for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes; Phase 1b dose-ranging study to treat solid tumors with hepatic tumor burden; and Phase 1 dose-escalation study for the treatment of refractory solid tumors. In addition, the company?s products consist of ZYBRESTAT, which is in Phase 2 randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, single-dose study for proof-of-mechanism study in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. OXiGENE has a strategic collaboration agreement with Symphony Capital Partners, L.P. to support the advancement of ZYBRESTAT for oncology and ophthalmology, and OXi4503. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    If you missed the recent surges from Neurometrix Inc. (NASDAQ:NURO) and/or OXiGENE Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN), and decided to skip an entry on either or both because they were too frothy at the time, then here's some good news.... you're getting a second chance. Both NURO and OXGN are getting their proverbial second wind, and they're doing so at a price much lower than the price you would have had to pay for either just a few days ago. There's just one catch - you may want to hurry of you want in. This second wind is unfurling as rapidly as the first surges did.

  • [By Wallace Witkowski]

    Shares of Oxigene Inc. (OXGN) �more than doubled on very heavy volume after the microcap biotech said a mid-stage study of its drug Zybrestat, when used with Roche�� Avastin, showed increased survival in ovarian cancer patients. Oxigene shares rallied 129% to $5.55 , and were one of the most heavily traded issues after hours with more than 4.2 million shares exchanging hands.

  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    In the very short run, OXiGENE Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN) is overbought and probably due for a setback, not unlike the all the other one-day surges and subsequent pullbacks we've seen from the stock since February of this year. Today's pop from OXGN, however, is quite different than all the rest... this time, it's got a legitimate shot at following through on the upside effort. Ergo, this little biopharma name is actually one of the market's best 'trades' right now.

  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    There's no denying that OXiGENE Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN) has, if nothing else, an interesting pipeline. And for many investors, the prospect of one or two budding winners in development is more than enough reason to jump into a biotech stock. In the case of OXGN, however, there's a far more direct - and no less speculative - reason to become a shareholder. That reason? The stock's going higher.... seriously.

Top Life Sciences Companies To Own For 2014: Hologic Inc.(HOLX)

Hologic Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies diagnostic, medical imaging systems, and surgical products for the healthcare needs of women. The company operates in four segments: Breast Health, Diagnostics, GYN Surgical, and Skeletal Health. The Breast Health segment offers breast imaging products, such as Selenia full field digital mammography system, breast tomosynthesis, healthcome mammography products, screen-film mammography systems, SecurView workstation, CAD systems, stereotactic breast biopsy systems, breast biopsy products, breast brachytherapy products, MammoPad breast cushions, and photoconductor coatings, as well as Sentinelle medical MRI breast coils and workstations. This segment also develops a breast imaging platform, Dimensions, which utilizes a tomosynthesis technology to produce 3D images. The Diagnostics segment provides ThinPrep system, a solution for cervical cancer screening; rapid fetal fibronectin test for pre-term birth risk assessment; and hu man papillomavirus offering and InVitro diagnostics for cervical cancer tests. The GYN Surgical segment offers NovaSure system, a minimally-invasive procedure that allows physicians to treat women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding; MyoSure system for the hysteroscopic removal of fibroids; and Adiana system, a form of permanent female contraception intended as an alternative to tubal ligation. The Skeletal Health segment provides QDR X-Ray bone densitometers that assess the bone density of fracture sites; Sahara clinical bone sonometers, which assess the bone density of heels; and Mini C-Arm imaging systems that are used to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures on a patient?s extremities. Hologic Inc. sells its products through a combination of direct sales and service forces, a network of independent distributors, and sales representatives primarily in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    On Monday, small cap molecular diagnostic stock Myriad Genetics, Inc (NASDAQ: MYGN) suddenly sank 9.34% to $23.50 just before the market closed���meaning its probably a good idea to take a closer look at what happened yesterday plus compare the stock�� performance verses small cap peer Sequenom, Inc (NASDAQ: SQNM) and mid cap peer Hologic, Inc (NASDAQ: HOLX).�

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