For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Medtronic, Inc. (MDT), St. Jude Medical (STJ), Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX), Baker Hughes, Inc. (BHI) and BJ Services (BJS).
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Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Positive Results for Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) announced positive results from its REVERSE trial, which was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients — that is, those with mild heart failure or patients who previously had heart failure symptoms, respectively.
The trial enrolled 610 patients and the 24-month data was presented from the European cohort of the study. Initial results for the 12-month period presented earlier were disappointing — the trial failed to meet statistical significance in its primary endpoint.
However, the 24-month data proved successful in meeting the end points. At present, CRT is not approved in the U.S. for the treatment of symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. It is used only for patients with moderate to severe heart failure.
We think that positive results from the REVERSE trial will widen Medtronic’s customer base and will increase its top-line. Medtronic is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, specializing in implantable and interventional therapy devices and products.
The company’s main competitors include St. Jude Medical (STJ) and Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX). Based on the company’s first quarter of fiscal 2010 results, we have assigned an ‘Outperform’ rating for the company’s stock.
Baker Hughes to Buy BJ Services
Earlier today, Baker Hughes, Inc. (BHI) and BJ Services (BJS) announced a definitive agreement for a stock and cash merger, which represents a transaction value of $5.5 billion for BJ Services based on closing stock prices on August 28, 2009. Post-merger, Baker Hughes shareholders will own approximately 72.5% of the combined entity, with BJ Services shareholders owning the rest. The Baker Hughes Board of Directors will be expanded to include two BJ Services Board members.
In addition to saving significantly on costs, shareholders of both companies get a more diversified oilfield services exposure. BJ Services shareholders get exposure to the much more stable top-tier global oilfield services over and above its existing pressure pumping services. Baker Hughes shareholders will get open to more efficient oilfield services by integrating pressure pumping with the company’s wide range of products and services.
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