Haemonetics Corporation (HAE) reported strong results for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Earnings per share were 69 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents and the year-ago earnings of 58 cents. Sales Total revenues in the reported quarter were $157 million, increasing 8% year over year. Excluding a favorable foreign currency translation (FX), revenues increased 6% year over year. On a geographic basis, U.S. sales represented roughly 48% of total sales and increased 12.5% year over year. International sales increased 3.5% year over year. Plasma disposables revenues increased 19% year over year to $59 million. Growth can be attributed to higher global demand for plasma collections, higher pricing and implementation of several long-term contracts with customers in the reported quarter. Platelet disposables revenues increased 3% year over year to $37 million due to the company’s strong distribution network in different key markets....

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) announced that it sees multiyear opportunity in H1N1 vaccines, commonly known as Swine Flu vaccines. The company expects to recognize $30 million to $40 million in revenues from swine flu vaccines in the fourth quarter. Baxter has not speculated on H1N1 vaccine sales beyond the fourth quarter. However, increasing demand has raised hopes for a multiyear opportunity. Baxter started shipping the product from August 2009.   Baxter and four other companies Sanofi-Aventis (SNY); MedImmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca plc (AZN); GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK); and Novartis have received authorization to market H1N1 vaccines. Baxter has received approval only for a two-dose vaccine and not a single-dose. Baxter uses its cell culture-based technology instead of the traditional one to produce these vaccines.   Baxter recently announced strong third quarter results. Earnings per share stood at 98 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of ...

The global medical devices industry is fairly large and is valued at roughly $223 billion, with the U.S. accounting for approximately 41%. The industry is divided into different categories such as Cardiology, Oncology, Neuro, Orthopedic, Aesthetic Devices and Healthcare IT. In the medical devices space, we recommend that investors focus on companies providing life-sustaining products. These companies provide a strong recurring stream of revenues as patients are unable to forego these products. Furthermore, investors should allocate funds to companies with high-earnings-quality profiles. Large companies with a wide portfolio of products are also better poised for good returns. These companies are capable of withstanding the current economic recession. Another area which is interestingly poised for growth these days is Healthcare IT. The landscape has changed since the Obama Administration passed a health care stimulus package to encourage hospitals and physicians practices to modernize their health record keeping. ...

  Baxter International Inc. (BAX) today reported third quarter fiscal 2009 earnings per share of 98 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 97 cents and the year-ago earnings of 88 cents. The company also raised its outlook for full fiscal 2009.   Sales Net sales in the quarter were roughly flat year over year at $3.1 billion. An unfavorable foreign currency translation (FX) adversely affected net sales. Excluding FX, net sales increased approximately 6% year over year. On a geographic basis, domestic sales accounted for approximately 42% of total sales and increased 5% year over year. International sales declined 4% year over year. In terms of business segments: BioScience revenues increased 2% year over year to approximately $1.4 billion. Growth was due to higher sales of recombinant products (including ADVATE), antibody therapies and biosurgery products. This was partly offset by lower demand for plasma proteins.   ...

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) recently received marketing authorization for CELVAPAN H1N1 vaccine, commonly known as the Swine Flu vaccine, in the European Union. The company has already delivered limited quantities of H1N1 vaccine to a few countries, such as the UK and Ireland, as part of their national vaccination programs. Presently, Baxter is conducting two clinical trials to confirm the safety and immunogenicity of CELVAPAN H1N1. These trials encompass 400 healthy adults who are 18 years and above, besides 400 children and adolescents. The safety and immunogenicity of CELVAPAN H1N1 in these trials are conducted at dose levels of 7.5µg and 3.75µg, respectively. Baxter also plans to conduct a large-scale study of CELVAPAN in 9,000 people of different age groups including children. Preliminary safety data in adults for 7.5µg doses of vaccine indicated that the vaccine was well tolerated in these age groups. The reactions were ...

Today we are featuring top-performing “Health" equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in equity securities of healthcare and related companies.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Health Equity Funds.

3 Robust Samples

Fidelity Select Medical Equipment & Systems (FSMEX) was incepted in April 1998. The investment seeks capital appreciation by investing in securities of healthcare companies.

The fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers and invest a significant percentage of assets in a single issuer. It is non-diversified.

The fund’s top holdings include Baxter International Inc. (BAX), Covidien Ltd. (COV) and Medtronic Inc. (MDT).

Evergreen Health Care A (EHABX) seeks long-term capital growth. It primarily invests in equity securities of issuers that derive more than 50% of their sales from products and services in healthcare.

The fund may invest

...

Haemonetics Corporation (HAE) has recently acquired the blood collection and processing business of Engineering and Research Associates Inc., commonly known as SEBRA. The transaction is worth $12.5 million in cash and is expected to be completed in a few months time.  The SEBRA acquisition expands the vista of Haemonetics’ product offerings and increases its top-line. Furthermore, it strengthens the company’s position in the whole blood collection market. Haemonetics is developing an automated whole blood collection system and expects to launch it in late fiscal 2011.  The SEBRA acquisition is expected to be neutral to Haemonetics’ earnings per share in fiscal 2010 and accretive thereafter.  SEBRA markets a suite of products such as radio-frequency (RF) tube sealers, whole blood collection devices known as shakers, and mobile collection & ancillary equipment. These products are used in blood collection and processing. The company’s blood collection and processing business ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 2, 2009 – Three mutual funds rose to the highest level of a new ranking system and are being highlighted today on Zacks.com.

These free "Strong Buy" picks are being made available to promote the new Mutual Fund Rank of the investment world's leading independent research firm.

Highlighted Today: Health Equity Funds   

Fidelity Select Medical Equipment & Systems (FSMEX) seeks capital appreciation. The fund is non-diversified.  It may invest in securities of foreign issuers or a significant percentage of assets in a single issuer. Its key holdings include Medtronic Inc. (MDT), Baxter International Inc. (BAX) and Boston Scientific Inc. (BSX). Evergreen Health Care A (EHABX) was incepted in December 1999. The investment seeks long-term capital growth. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of healthcare companies. Robert C. Junkin has been lead manager at the

...

Today we are featuring top-performing “Health" equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in equity securities of health care and related companies.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Health Equity Funds.

3 Robust Samples

Fidelity Select Medical Equipment & Systems (FSMEX) seeks capital appreciation. The fund is non-diversified.

The fund invests in common stocks of firms that are engaged in research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply or sale of medical equipment and devices and related technologies. It may invest in securities of foreign issuers or a significant percentage of assets in a single issuer.

The fund’s key holdings include Medtronic Inc. (MDT), Baxter International Inc. (BAX) and Boston Scientific Inc. (BSX).

Evergreen Health Care A (EHABX) was incepted in December 1999. The investment seeks long-term capital growth.

The fund normally invests at

...

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) recently completed production of first commercial batches of A/H1N1 Pandemic Vaccine, CELVAPAN, for the treatment of Swine Flu. The company is now planning for distribution of the vaccine with the national health authorities.   CELVAPAN is made using the company’s proprietary Vero cell culture technology. WHO (World Health Organization) has already raised a global pandemic alert (phase 6) for the influenza. Baxter is in constant touch with WHO and other global public health authorities with whom it has pandemic agreements. Under the agreement, these public health authorities can place orders with Baxter for a vaccine once WHO declares the disease as a pandemic.   The production of batches of CELVAPAN is a shot in the arm for Baxter. Furthermore, it will add to the company’s contribution to social welfare. Baxter is a leading global medical products and services company that develops, manufactures and markets ...