STJ On Track to Hit Full Year Numbers

St. Jude Medical STJ released solid second-quarter results, and the firm remains on track to meet full-year projections. On the whole, the performance across St. Jude’s product segments are pleasing, and many are particularly heartened to see stability in implantable cardioverter defibrillator sales. After two years of soft demand following a published study that suggested overuse of ICDs, domestic demand fell off and we saw … Continue reading STJ On Track to Hit Full Year Numbers

MAT Adapting to Consumers

Mattel MAT continues to adapt to children’s demands, innovating new products tailored to changing tastes. With a number of new franchises coming on line in 2013 (including Ever After High and Max Steel), the company will maintain the wide brand recognition it has captured over numerous decades, keeping its narrow rating intact. While second-quarter results fell short of expectations,  the rest of the year will … Continue reading MAT Adapting to Consumers

Smith & Nephew Counters Soft 1Q Reconstructive Sales with Strength in Wound Management

Smith & Nephew SNN posted first-quarter results that were largely consistent with our expectations, and we are standing behind our fair value estimate of $58 per share. As we had suspected, the growth of reconstructive products slowed considerably as Smith & Nephew’s new product cycle is waning just as competitors are launching new products. Nonetheless, the firm plans to launch its new knee system later … Continue reading Smith & Nephew Counters Soft 1Q Reconstructive Sales with Strength in Wound Management

Abbott Shows Strong Growth in Emerging Markets

Abbott Laboratories ABT reported solid second-quarter performance that underscored the strength of its presence in emerging markets, where robust growth continues. While second-quarter results have not spurred a change in projections for the rest of this year or 2014, we may see $40 per share, which was primarily driven by a lower cost of equity assumption. Considering the breadth of new Abbott’s remaining businesses, the … Continue reading Abbott Shows Strong Growth in Emerging Markets