Top Performer for Monday

Earnings estimates on The Cooper Companies, Inc. (COO) advanced solidly over the past 7 days as analysts respond to it's fiscal first quarter report, which included EPS and revenue that improved year over year.

Today, shares of the medical supplies company are up approximately 9%, which makes COO a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank.

Earnings estimates for this fiscal year, ending October 2009, are up 6% in the past week as 6 of 7 covering analysts gave their expectations a boost.

Similarly, estimates for next fiscal year, ending October 2010, advanced 3.7% in that timeframe with 5 of 8 covering analysts revising upward. Analysts currently expect profit for next fiscal year to advance more than 11% from this fiscal year.

Last Thursday, COO announced that revenue in the quarter increased 3% to $251.1 million, compared to $242.8 million a year earlier. Revenue for its CooperVision unit, which makes soft contact lenses, was up 4% to $211.2 million, while its CooperSurgical unit, which makes medical devices and instruments, moved higher 1% to $39.9 million.

Excluding items, earnings estimates for the quarter reached 57 cents, which beat the consensus by more than 42% while also eclipsing the year-ago result.

COO stated that its cost control efforts have brought about strong operating results, which put the company in a good position to meet its financial goals for the rest of the year.

The company reiterated its 2009 guidance of GAAP EPS between $2.16 and $2.36, with revenue of $1.03 billion to $1.1 billion.

COO is 1 of 4 companies from the Medical/Dental Supply industry on the Zacks #1 Rank List for today. The other 3 companies are Aradigm Corporation (ARDM), Steris Corporation (STE) and Young Innovations (YDNT).

Read the full analyst report on ARDM

Read the full analyst report on STE

Read the full analyst report on COO

Read the full analyst report on YDNT