VISX will fight on two fronts now.
They will gear-up to maintain and/or expand on the 70% market share. They will buy back stock, cut cost, and more importantly, I think they will merge with a newer technology to compete with newcomers. Machine sales will not sustain any of the laser manufacturers, so royalties, service revenue, ect. will be in their favor for the next several quarters.
If the patent office rules in their favor (PTO), look for VISX to put some big bucks on the table to sue, collect royalties, and get injunctions against many of the producers and users of lasers in the USA. I think such a turn of events would bring VISX back to a growth company status (new economy) |
