For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 13, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Stryker Corp. (SYK), Synergetics USA, Inc. (SURG), Zimmer Holdings (ZMH), Conmed Corporation (CNMD) and Smith & Nephew (SNN).

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Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Stryker Strikes Acquisition Deals

Stryker Corp. (SYK) is on a takeover spree having made three acquisitions recently. The company acquired OtisMed Corp., Mutoh Co. Ltd. and certain of its affiliates, and Synergetics USA, Inc. (SURG). Financial terms of these transactions include $67 million

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Stryker Corp. (SYK) is on a takeover spree having made three acquisitions recently. The company acquired OtisMed Corp., Mutoh Co. Ltd. and certain of its affiliates, and Synergetics USA, Inc. (SURG). Financial terms of these transactions include $67 million in upfront payment as well as potential future milestone and royalty payments of up to $36 million. These acquisitions are expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

OtisMed Corp. is a privately held software technology firm that focuses on customizable instrumentation complementing Stryker’s Triathlon Knee System, as well as other Stryker implants. Stryker will incorporate OtisMed as part of its Orthopaedics division. Mutoh Co. Ltd. is a Japanese company and a leading provider of equipment, products, instruments and services to the medical and scientific communities. On the other hand, Synergetics USA, Inc. is a leading supplier of precision microsurgery instrumentation.   Mutoh and Synergetics acquisitions give Stryker access to

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Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (HGR) yesterday reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 after market close. Earnings per share were 30 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents and the year-ago earnings of 23 cents. Sales Net sales for the quarter increased 7.6% year over year to $192.3 million. Growth can be primarily attributed to higher same-center sales of patient care centers, higher demand for the company’s distribution segment and acquisitions. Patient-care services contributed approximately 88% to total sales while the remaining came from the distribution segment. Margins Gross margin declined 70 basis points (bps) year over year to 69.4% in the reported quarter due to higher cost of raw materials. However, strong sales and the company’s expense management initiatives helped it to increase operating and net margins. Both operating and net margins increased 100 bps year over year ...

Conmed Corporation (CNMD) reported third quarter 2009 earnings per share of 28 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents. However, earnings per share were lower than the year-ago earnings of 37 cents. Sales Net sales for the reported quarter were $175.5 million, declining roughly 2.2% year over year. Excluding an unfavorable foreign currency translation (FX), net sales increased marginally by 0.4% year over year. Single-use and reposable sales contributed roughly 75% to total sales and declined 0.4% year over year. Capital equipment sales contributed the balance and declined 7.1% year over year. The decline in net sales can be primarily attributed to the current economic turbulence that resulted in patients deferring their elective procedures. The decline was broad-based across major products. Arthroscopy sales declined 1.2% year over year to $68.7 million. Powered Surgical Instruments sales declined 3.9% year over year to $37.3 ...

Stryker Corporation (SYK) yesterday reported third quarter earnings per share of 69 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and higher than the year-ago earnings of 66 cents. Net sales were flat year over year at approximately $1.7 billion. An unfavorable foreign exchange translation (FX) negatively affected net sales in the quarter.  Excluding FX, net sales increased 1.2% year over year. On a geographic basis, U.S. sales contributed roughly 65% of total sales and increased 0.2% year over year. International sales declined 0.3% year over year. In terms of business segments: Orthopaedic Implants sales increased 5.5% year over year to $1.0 billion. Growth was contributed by all the products, such as Hips, Knees, Trauma, Spine, and Craniomaxillofacial.  MedSurg Equipment sales declined 7.7% year over year to $637 million. The decline can be primarily attributed to lower capital spending by hospitals due to the current economic turmoil. Gross ...

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. ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 12, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (HGR), Orthofix International NV (OFIX), Conmed Corporation (CNMD), Exactech Inc. (EXAC) and Owens & Minor Inc. (OMI).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Hanger on Acquisition Spree

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (HGR) recently made three acquisitions totaling $10.7 million in annual net revenues. These acquisitions are: Creative Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.; Custom Orthopedics of Wyoming; and certain orthotics and prosthetics assets from the Hospital of

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Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (HGR) recently made three acquisitions totaling $10.7 million in annual net revenues. These acquisitions are: Creative Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.; Custom Orthopedics of Wyoming; and certain orthotics and prosthetics assets from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. These acquisitions will enable Hanger to add patient care centers to its existing markets in New York, Wyoming and Pennsylvania. Hanger will fund these acquisitions from internally generated cash flows. It is estimated that the acquisitions will be accretive to Hanger’s earnings once the integration process is over. The acquisitions strengthen Hanger’s leadership position in the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) market and bolster its top-line. Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Bethesda, MD, provides orthotic and prosthetic patient care services through its 671 patient care centers in the U.S. The company operates through four business units: patient care, distribution, Linkia and Innovative Neurotronics....

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Tuesday October 6, 2009

DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

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Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and Avocent Corporation (NASDAQ: AVCT) today announced they have reached agreement for Emerson to acquire Avocent, a transaction that will further Emerson’s ability to deliver total infrastructure management solutions to its data center customers around the world. The Avocent Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the terms of an all-cash tender offer of $25 per share, or approximately $1.2 billion. The purchase is expected to close around January 1, 2010, pending customary regulatory approvals and acceptance of

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Tuesday September 29, 2009

DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

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CONMED Corporation (NASDAQ: CNMD), a medical technology company specializing in medical devices for surgical and patient monitoring markets, announced today that the Company will participate in the Fourth Annual JMP Securities Healthcare Focus Conference, on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM Eastern time. The event will be held in New York at the New York Palace Hotel.

Patient Access Solutions, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PASO), a leading provider of healthcare/financial processing solutions for the healthcare, homecare, nursing LTNC and dental

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