Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Hill-Rom (HRC) Rides on Product Launches, Competition Rife

Read MoreHide Full Article

On Oct 3, we issued an updated research report on Hill Rom Holdings, Inc. . The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Hill-Rom has underperformed the broader industry over the last three months. The stock has lost 5.5% as compared with the industry’s decline of 0.6%. Foreign exchange and stiff competition are potent headwinds. The company’s lowered full-year revenue and earnings guidance is indicative of a persistently sluggish trend.

On a positive note, Hill-Rom is focusing on product innovation through research and development. Also, its product launches slated for the fourth quarter are boosting investors’ confidence. The commercial launch of Centrella Med-Surg platform in this regard is worth a mention. Also, Hill-Rom announced the introduction of a line of safety surgical instruments, which include the Bard Parker SafeSwitch Disposable Scalpel Handle and Scalpel Handle Cover along with Bard Parker Blade Remover.

Additionally, Hill-Rom’s merger and acquisition pipeline is strong. The company aggressively pursues acquisitions to accelerate growth in five key clinical focus areas — advancing patient mobility, wound care and prevention, surgical, safety and efficiency, clinical workflow solutions and respiratory help.

Meanwhile, in order to focus on its core operations, Hill-Rom recently signed an agreement to divest its Volker business to an affiliate of CoBe Capital. Notably, the Volker business primarily serves the long-term care bed market in Europe.

Key Picks

A few better-ranked stocks in the medical sector are Orthofix International N.V. (OFIX - Free Report) , Luminex Corporation and IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX - Free Report) . Orthofix International and Luminex Corporation sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while IDEXX Laboratories carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Orthofix International has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 11.8%. The stock has rallied roughly 32.3% over the last six months.

Luminex has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 16.3%. The stock has gained 15.7% over the last six months.

IDEXX Laboratories has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 19.8%. The stock has gained 36.7% over the last year.

Can Hackers Put Money INTO Your Portfolio?

Earlier this month, credit bureau Equifax announced a massive data breach affecting 2 out of every 3 Americans. The cybersecurity industry is expanding quickly in response to this and similar events. But some stocks are better investments than others.

Zacks has just released Cybersecurity! An Investor’s Guide to help Zacks.com readers make the most of the $170 billion per year investment opportunity created by hackers and other threats. It reveals 4 stocks worth looking into right away.

Download the new report now>>


Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker


Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time


ORTHOFIX MEDICAL INC. (OFIX) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Published in