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Strategies & Market Trends : Speculating in Takeover Targets -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: richardred who wrote (974)1/6/2006 2:02:03 AM
From: richardred  Respond to of 7243
 
dj Orthopedics Completes Acquisition of Newmed SAS
Thursday January 5, 4:05 pm ET

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- dj Orthopedics, Inc., (NYSE: DJO - News), a global medical device company specializing in rehabilitation and regeneration products for the non-operative orthopedic and spine markets, today announced that it closed its acquisition of Newmed SAS ("Newmed") on January 2, 2006, for cash payments aggregating 13 million Euro (approximately $15.4 million). The acquisition was first announced on December 15, 2005. The sellers could also receive up to an additional 1 million Euro based on achievement of certain revenue targets for 2006. Newmed, through wholly-owned subsidiaries in France and Spain, operating under the trade name Axmed, is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of orthopedic rehabilitation devices including rigid knee braces and soft goods. Axmed generates the majority of its revenue in France, but has also established a growing presence in Spain and other European markets. The acquired business is expected to add incremental 2006 net revenue and earnings per share of approximately $12 million and $0.04, respectively, subject to finalizing the related purchase accounting impact.

"With the acquisition successfully completed, we are pleased to welcome the Axmed team into our European organization," said Les Cross, president and chief executive officer of dj Orthopedics. "France is a very important market and Axmed provides us with a strong and growing presence. We look forward the team's continued success as part of dj Orthopedics."

About dj Orthopedics, Inc.

dj Orthopedics is a global medical device company specializing in rehabilitation and regeneration products for the non-operative orthopedic and spine markets. Marketed under the DonJoy and ProCare brands, the Company's broad range of over 600 rehabilitation products, including rigid knee braces, soft goods, pain management, are used in the prevention of injury, in the treatment of chronic conditions and for recovery after surgery or injury. The Company's regeneration products consist of bone growth stimulation devices that are used to treat nonunion fractures and as an adjunct therapy after spinal fusion surgery. Together, these products provide solutions throughout the patient's continuum of care. The Company sells its products in the United States and in more than 40 other countries through networks of agents, distributors and its direct sales force. Customers include orthopedic, podiatric and spine surgeons, orthotic and prosthetic centers, third-party distributors, hospitals, surgery centers, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. For additional information on the Company, please visit www.djortho.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements relate to, among other things, the Company's anticipated revenue and earnings contributions from the acquisition for fiscal year 2006. The words "believe," "should," "expect," "intend," "estimate" and "anticipate," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks related to doing business in foreign countries such as France including government reimbursement; retention of the acquired company's key employees and customer base; competition in the French market; and the ability to leverage the acquired manufacturing operations overseas. Other risks include the Company's dependence on orthopedic professionals, agents and distributors for marketing its products; resources needed and risks involved in complying with government regulations including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; developing and protecting intellectual property; the impact of potential reductions in reimbursement levels by Medicare and other governmental and commercial payors; and the effects of healthcare reform, managed care and buying groups on prices of the Company's products. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 1, 2005, filed on October 31, 2005 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: dj Orthopedics, Inc.
biz.yahoo.com



To: richardred who wrote (974)1/8/2006 6:57:45 PM
From: richardred  Read Replies (6) | Respond to of 7243
 
Shares of Medical Device Makers Advance
Friday January 6, 1:02 pm ET
Shares of Medical Instruments, Supplies Companies Advance on Host of Bullish Reports

NEW YORK (AP) -- Manufacturers of medical instruments and supplies traded higher Friday after a number of investment houses issued bullish reports on companies including Arrow International Inc. and FoxHollow Technologies Inc.

On Thursday after the market close, Arrow International reported first-quarter earnings fell 11 percent to $11.8 million, or 26 cents per share -- 2 pennies short of analysts' consensus forecast, according to Thomson Financial. Revenue edged up less than 1 percent to $113.6 million from a year ago.

Still, an analyst with Brean Murray Carret & Co. said he believes "the bad news is behind it." New manufacturing plants should alleviate the company's capacity constraints, and management expects its core business sales to grow by 10 percent to 12 percent annually, said analyst Arnold Kaufman.

He upgraded the Arrow shares to "Accumulate" from "Hold" and set a target price of $33. The stock jumped $2.39, or 8.3 percent, to $31.25 in midday trading on the Nasdaq. Reading, Pa.-based Arrow makes cardiac diagnostic products such as disposable catheters.

Piper Jaffray upgraded FoxHollow Technologies to "Outperform" from "Market Perform" in the wake of a sharp drop in the company's share price. The medical device manufacturer's stock has slid 33 percent since the surprise resignation of the company's chief executive in mid-December. FoxHollow hasn't reaffirmed its 2006 guidance, leaving investors jittery.

"There is a strong feeling of another shoe to drop," said Piper Jaffray analyst Thomas J. Gunderson. But the analyst said in a bullish note to clients that his research indicates FoxHollow's market "appears as robust going into 2006 as it was in 2005."

FoxHollow's devices are used to treat peripheral artery disease, a condition caused by plaque buildup, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

He lowered his 2006 revenue forecast to $220 million, however, noting that aggressive additions to the company's sales force may slow. FoxHollow in October forecast 2006 revenue between $230 million and $250 million. The company's Nasdaq-listed shares advanced $4.54, or 15.1 percent, to $34.66.

Gunderson also lifted St. Jude Medical Inc. to "Outperform" from "Market Perform" and boosted the stock's target price to $60 from $49. He noted the company's potential to increase its share of the market for its implantable cardioverter defibrillators, a device used to regulate heart rhythm. Shares of St. Jude rose $2.10, or 4.2 percent, to $52.64 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Elsewhere in the industry, Harris Nesbitt upped its rating on Boston Scientific Corp. to "Outperform," or "Buy," from "Neutral." The stock added 32 cents to $26.19 on the New York Stock Exchange.

KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its price target on AngioDynamics Inc. to $40 from $33, sending the company's shares up $2.20, or 9.1 percent, to $26.39 on the Nasdaq.

biz.yahoo.com



To: richardred who wrote (974)1/8/2006 7:24:28 PM
From: richardred  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 7243
 
Off Course at Arrow International
Friday January 6, 12:00 pm ET
By Stephen D. Simpson, CFA

Turnarounds take time and that's just the way it is. So don't kid yourself: It's going to take some time for Arrow International (Nasdaq: ARRO - News) to fix itself up and get moving in the right direction again.

Accordingly, this medical device company's first-quarter earnings weren't exactly a glowing testament to breakout growth. Sales were up less than 1%, operating income fell by about 12%, and net income was down more than 11%.

The problem here is one that a lot of companies might actually wish they had -- Arrow International lacks the necessary capacity to keep up with demand and so cannot fill its back orders. As a result, central venous catheter sales were down 1% (up just 2.3% excluding the temporarily discontinued NeoCare line), specialty catheter sales were up 3.7%, and cardiac care sales were flat.

Fortunately, there is some good news on the capacity front. A new facility for multi-lumen catheters in Chihuahua, Mexico, is up and running, and Arrow International hopes to have a second line going in March of this year. Elsewhere, a new facility is under construction in the Czech Republic. As this new capacity comes on line, the company should be able to return to the high single-digit growth it has historically delivered.

It's fair to ask yourself, though, whether it's worth hanging around for that new capacity. After all, this is a company with relatively modest historical growth in operating income and structural free cash flow. Nevertheless, the stock has been surprisingly volatile over that same period and has more than tripled from its lows back in 1999.

This is a tougher-than-average nut to crack. On one hand, you have a company with solid market share in central venous and specialty catheters and a solid, albeit not scintillating, history of performance. On the other hand, you have modest growth and the threat that competitors like Datascope (Nasdaq: DSCP - News) and Bard (NYSE: BCR - News) will capture share while Arrow International remains capacity-constrained. Considering that there are other, faster-growing medical device companies out there with attractive valuations, I think this particular arrow is pointing away from "buy" right now.

Fool contributor Stephen Simpson has no financial interest in any stocks mentioned (that means he's neither long nor short the shares).
biz.yahoo.com



To: richardred who wrote (974)2/13/2006 10:17:30 AM
From: richardred  Respond to of 7243
 
Arrow International Ups Quarterly Dividend
Monday February 13, 9:24 am ET
Arrow International Raises Quarterly Dividend to 17 Cents Per Share

READING, Pa. (AP) -- Catheter maker Arrow International Inc. said Monday that its board raised its quarterly dividend by 13.3 percent to 17 cents per share.

The payment, up 2 cents per share from the prior payout, is payable on March 13 to shareholders of record on Feb. 27.

Arrow International said the move reflects its confidence in the future of the company and in its business initiatives.
biz.yahoo.com



To: richardred who wrote (974)7/23/2007 10:13:15 AM
From: richardred  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 7243
 
ARRO sold a little to early-missed another 17%. Teleflex has been a recent buyer over the past couple years.
Message 23448547

Teleflex to Buy Arrow for $2B Cash
Monday July 23, 7:04 am ET
Teleflex to Acquire Arrow International for $2 Billion Cash in Bid to Expand Medical Segment

NEW YORK (AP) -- Diversified manufacturing conglomerate Teleflex Inc. said Monday it agreed to acquire Arrow International Inc., a provider of catheter-based access and therapeutic products for critical and cardiac care, in a cash deal worth about $2 billion.

Teleflex is paying $45.50 per share for Arrow of Reading, Pa., a 20 percent premium over that company's closing price Friday. Arrow shares have traded between $30.04 and $40.50 over the past 52 weeks.

"With the execution of this merger agreement, Teleflex is redefining its portfolio and its medical segment by creating a $1.4 billion medical technology business that will be the largest source of the company's revenues and profitability," said Jeffrey P. Black, chairman and chief executive of Teleflex. "With the addition of Arrow, we expect that by fiscal 2008 the medical segment should achieve annual revenues of approximately $1.5 billion and generate operating margins in the 20 percent range."

The transaction, which has been approved by both companies' boards, is also expected to add to Teleflex's earnings by 2009. The company added it has already secured the financing commitment for the transaction.

Teleflex, of Limerick, Pa., also confirmed its earnings guidance for 2007, excepting the Arrow purchase, which is expected to dilute earnings this year. The company expects to earn $4.05 to $4.25 per share, compared with the average analyst estimate of $4.19 per share, based on a Thomson Financial poll.

The company also said it has hired Goldman Sachs to review options for its commercial segment, which makes specialty-engineered driver controls, motion controls, power and vehicle management systems and fluid-handing systems for the marine, industrial and automotive markets. Teleflex attributed the decision to its goal of boosting operating margins and reducing cyclicality.

Banc of America Securities LLC is acting as financial adviser to Teleflex in the transaction, and Bank of America, N.A. and its affiliates and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. have provided financing commitments.

Lazard is providing financial advisory services to Arrow.

biz.yahoo.com