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MedTech Stocks' Q4 Earnings on Mar 1: ICUI, GKOS & EGRX

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With 411 S&P members’ (88.4% of the index’s total market cap) results already out, the fourth-quarter earnings season is almost at the finishing line. According to our latest Earnings Preview, the scorecard so far has portrayed an encouraging picture with the quarter emerging as the highest with respect to earnings growth over the past two years. 

Till Feb 17, total earnings for these members have gone up 8% on 4.9% higher revenues with 68.9% beating earnings estimates and 54.7% exceeding revenue expectations.

Per the preview report, Medical is one of the 13 broader sectors among the 16 Zacks sectors which have so far reported earnings growth. Among the 83.3% members of this sector who have made their quarterly releases, earnings and revenue beat are standing at impressive levels of 80% and 53.3%, respectively. The sector has delivered 4.8% earnings growth on the back of 5.3% higher revenues in the quarter.

What’s in Store for the MedTech Space?

After a long wait, the republican house draft to repeal the Affordable Care Act with a replacement plan has finally arrived. Per the still unnamed draft, under the new bill, the major highlights will be a 30% increase in premiums for those who do not have continuous insurance coverage, age-based subsidies replacing income based ones, and restrictions on Medicaid expansion.

According to a yahoo finance article, “One of the most politically explosive pieces in the draft of legislation is defunding Planned Parenthood, a move that some Republicans see as too dangerous. The bill includes abortion provider in its definition of prohibited entity.”

With the release, once again the entire nation is divided into pro and against Trump’s policies. We note that, the republican win has ensured a great victory for the entire medical device industry as the likely revocation of the 2.3% medical device excise tax is going to be a big bonus for both the behemoths and small players.

According to the MedTech community, the cancellation of this tax along with other taxes will directly address issues like lack of opportunity for research and development, innovation, pipeline development and to make the investments needed to accelerate patient and provider access to innovative health care products. This will also help in boosting job creation and quality of patient care, offering companies in the space an opportunity to strengthen their position to cope up with the new situation.

Let’s take a look at the major MedTech stocks within the broader medical community, slated to release their reports on Mar 1:

ICU Medical, Inc. (ICUI - Free Report)

This is a provider of advanced medical devices used in vascular therapy, oncology and critical care applications. The company’s product portfolio includes IV smart pumps, sets, connectors and solutions along with pain management and safety software technology designed to help meet clinical, safety and workflow goals. ICU Medical is slated to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2016 numbers.

However, our proven model does not conclusively show that ICU Medical is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen.That is not the case here.

ICU Medical currently holds a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. That is because both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at earnings of 98 cents.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

ICU Medical, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

 

ICU Medical, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | ICU Medical, Inc. Quote

Glaukos Corporation (GKOS - Free Report)

This ophthalmic medical technology company is focused on the development and commercialization of advanced products and procedures to transform the treatment of glaucoma, one of the world’s leading causes of blindness.

Glaukos is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2016 earnings. We cannot conclusively predict an earnings beat this quarter as the company has a 0.00% Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are on par at a loss of 1 cent. We note that, in the third quarter, the company registered an earnings beat of 400% and the trailing 12-month average surprise came in at positive 196.23%.

Glaukos Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

 

Glaukos Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Glaukos Corporation Quote

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (EGRX - Free Report)

This is a specialty pharmaceutical company, focused on developing and commercializing injectable products that address the shortcomings, as identified by physicians, pharmacists and other stakeholders of existing commercially successful injectable products. The company is also scheduled to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2016 earnings.

Eagle currently bears a Zacks Rank #5 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. This is because both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are on par at $2.24. We note that, in the third quarter, the company registered an earnings beat of 2.82% and the trailing 12-month average surprise came in at positive 3.73%.

Where Do Zacks' Investment Ideas Come From?

You are welcome to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks free of charge. There is no better place to start your own stock search. Plus you can access the full list of must-avoid Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See the stocks free >>


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ICU Medical, Inc. (ICUI) - free report >>

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