Hi Gary, great idea for a thread. I found this stock on a stock screen the other day, I think it warrants some watching. It is probably not more than a triple bagger at best however.
Laser Vision Centers: LVCI
- Stock has been beaten down in the last 6 mo I think partially because they took a one time charge of 2.4 mil from the makers of the lasers they use VISX
- They are adding 180 more sites in early 2000
- looks like the stock is trying to form a bottom at current prices????
- My gut tells me that this price will be a memory when the next quarter results are posted.
- Just for the record, I do not currently own this stock so blast away you wont hurt my feelings.
"LaserVision said that it would have posted a quarterly record net income of $3,970,000 had a one-time $2.4 million charge not been incurred. In addition, the Company would have reported fully diluted pre-tax earnings of $0.12 per share for the third quarter ended January 31, 2000. The Company concluded its analysis of the new program offered by VISX, Inc., currently LaserVision's principal laser supplier. After completing discussions with VISX, LaserVision said it would take a non-recurring charge of $2.4 million due to the changes announced by Visx. "
Company overview
The business strategy of Laser Vision Centers (LVCI) is to provide eye surgeons with cost-effective access to surgical equipment used for excimer laser and cataract procedures. This strategy includes the following elements: offer a flexible delivery system, increase penetration in new and existing markets, maximize the use of its equipment, provide value-added services to eye surgeons, and expand its products and services.
LVCI is one of the nation's largest providers of excimer lasers and other equipment to eye surgeons who use them to reshape the curvature of the cornea in order to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and cataracts.
Most of the company's equipment is mobile and it routinely moves from one location to another in response to customer demand. LVCI also provides its equipment at fixed locations. Its flexible delivery system enlarges the pool of potential locations, eye surgeons and patients that it can serve, and allows it to effectively respond to changing market demands.
Eye surgeons pay a fee for each procedure they perform using the company's equipment. LVCI typically provides each piece of equipment to many different eye surgeons, which allows it to more efficiently use the equipment and offer it at an affordable price. The company refers to its practice of providing equipment to multiple surgeons as "shared access."
Eye surgeons utilize LVCI's shared access and flexible delivery system to: avoid a large capital investment, eliminate the risks associated with buying high-technology equipment that may rapidly become obsolete, use the equipment without responsibility of maintenance or repair, cost effectively serve small to medium-sized markets and remote locations, and serve satellite locations even in large markets.
LVCI provides a broad range of value-added services to the eye surgeons who use its equipment, including initial training, technical support and equipment maintenance, marketing, clinical advisory services, patient financing and clinical practice satelliting.
The company provides mobile cataract equipment and services through its Midwest Surgical Services, Inc. (MSS) subsidiary, acquired in December 1998, which focuses on developing relationships between local hospitals, referring optometrists and eye surgeons in small to medium sized markets.
LVCI entered the cataract business only recently with the MSS acquisition; at that time, about 80% of the eye surgeons using MSS services were not performing excimer laser surgery. LVCI expects over time to cross market both excimer laser and cataract services to the eye surgeons it serves. |
