Medical Devices & Supplies

Medical device stocks should provide investors with opportunities for solid, lower-risk returns over the coming six to twelve months. Companies providing life-sustaining products should remain insulated from the current economic crisis, as target patients are unable to forego these procedures. The recent slide in the market has left many strong companies looking very attractive.

In the coming year, investors should allocate funds to companies with high earnings quality profiles. We recommend companies with the following characteristics:

* Size - Larger companies will find it easier to survive any future liquidity issues and acquire new technologies at cents on the dollar
* Scope - Companies providing life-sustaining products should remain insulated from the current economic crisis, as target patients are unable to forego these procedures
* Strategy - Avoid companies that have historically grown by acquisition. These companies may find it difficult to fund acquisitions, diminishing underlying growth. Additionally, the financial statements for these companies are often clouded by one-time charges, lowering their quality of earnings

Opportunities

Areas within our coverage that should perform well include cardiovascular devices and surgical equipment, blood related products, and associated consumables. Specific names to consider include St. Jude Medical ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=stj]STJ[/url]), Baxter ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=bax]BAX[/url]), Becton Dickinson ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=bdx]BDX[/url]), Haemonetics ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=hae]HAE[/url]), Boston Scientific ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=bsx]BSX[/url]), Medtronic ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=mdt]MDT[/url]) and CR Bard ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=bcr]BCR[/url]). Many of these companies have complimentary businesses that should also perform well. As the third quarter unfolds, we anticipate upgrading many of these names to BUY should they not appreciate significantly before the quarter’s results are released.

Weaknesses

Increases in unemployment will reduce the ranks of insured patients. Therefore, we remain cautious on products for which the related procedures may be delayed. One such group is orthopedics, where pricing has been weak. Specific names include ArthroCare ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=artc]ARTC[/url]), Conmed ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=cnmd]CNMD[/url]), Symmetry Medical ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=sma]SMA[/url]), Stryker ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=syk]SYK[/url]) and Zimmer ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=zmh]ZMH[/url]).

Other areas include medication dispensing, delivery, and software. Names in this area include Omnicell ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=omcl]OMCL[/url]) and AllScripts ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=mdrx]MDRX[/url]). Please note that Hanger Orthopedic ([url=http://www.zacks.com/research/report.php?t=hgr]HGR[/url]) is currently rated as a BUY. The stock fared well during most of the recent market turbulence. We anticipate changing this rating once the quarterly earnings have been released. Orthotics and prosthetic services are an area where we believe consumers will cut spending during difficult economic times.