CHICAGO, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the U.S. MedTech (Medical Technology), including Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX-Free Report) The Cooper Companies Inc. (NYSE:COO-Free Report), Align Technology (Nasdaq:ALGN-Free Report) and AmSurg Corp. (Nasdaq:AMSG-Free Report).
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Industry: MedTech (Medical Technology)
Link: http://www.zacks.com/commentary/28930/MedTech-Industry-Stock-Update---Sept-2013
In spite of several core market challenges, the big two medical device players -- Medtronic and Boston Scientific -- are striving to gain share in the ICD market through several new product launches. They are also exploring new avenues of growth beyond the mature pacemaker and ICD markets. With gradual stability in the ICD market, they should be able to revive their top line. Also, better pipeline visibility and appropriate utilization of cash should increase confidence in the medical device sector.
Microarray product maker Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX-Free Report) was languishing with its flagship GeneChip Expression products until management found a strategy to expand into high-growth markets for translational medicine, molecular diagnostics and applied markets. Consequently the shares of Affymetrix hit a 52-week high accompanied by a bullish Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stocks in the MedTech sector includeThe Cooper Companies Inc. (NYSE:COO-Free Report) and Boston Scientific among others. Cooper represents a value proposition based on factors such as margin expansion, acquisitions, product line expansion and geographical reach as well as share buybacks. On the other hand, we are positive about multiple initiatives taken by Boston Scientific to expand electrophysiology (EP) division.
Zacks Ranked #3 St. Jude is also doing well with its growing Atrial Fibrillation products portfolio that witnessed a major boost with the acquisition of Endosense and regulatory approval for its Mediguide catheters.
Beyond the MedTech majors, we are also optimistic about the Zacks Ranked #3 orthopedic device players, Zimmer Holdings and Stryker Corporation. The percentage of population over 65 in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other regions is expected to nearly double by the year 2030. In the U.S., the oldest baby boomers are now approaching retirement age. We believe the orthopedic giants stand to benefit from this aging demography.
Among scientific instrument makers, Thermo Fisher Scientific has been successfully expanding operating margins over the past few quarters on the back of operational efficiency. Thermo Fisher's market leading portfolio of analytical technologies and specialty diagnostic will be complemented by the upcoming buyout of Life Technologies. The latter has an expansive line of consumables for genomic, molecular and cell biology.
Among mid-cap MedTech stocks, Align Technology (Nasdaq:ALGN-Free Report) and AmSurg Corp. (Nasdaq:AMSG-Free Report) carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) look attractive.
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