Masimo Presents Encouraging Study

Masimo Corporation (MASI), a leader in non-invasive monitoring technology for patient care, recently revealed encouraging results from a multi-center study of its rainbow Acoustic Monitoring (RAM). This positive piece of news should boost investor confidence in the stock. The company’s stock returned a solid 22.3% to its investors on a year-to-date basis.

The study had analyzed the efficacy of RAM in comparison to capnography (nasal cannula) in post-surgical pediatric patient population. Results revealed that, despite having similar accuracy like capnography, RAM displayed better patient tolerance. The multi-center trial results were announced in Pediatric Anesthesia and conducted by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Arizona Medical Center, and Children's Medical Center at Dallas.

RAM is used to measure respiratory rates in a non-invasive manner (with a cloth adhesive sensor worn around the neck), thereby allowing better comfort for children. Researchers concluded that acoustic monitoring is a safer option to continuously monitor respiration rate in pediatric patients. Positive results from the clinical trial have highlighted MASI’s capabilities in developing products that are safe and reliable.

In September, MASI had entered into an agreement to sell its Masimo Patient SafetyNet to U.S.-based Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. The 387-bed facility will install the device in patient rooms on orthopedic, general surgery, and neurology floors. Earlier, Masimo had forged an alliance with University Children's Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. The hospital was the first pediatric institution in the region to utilize the Masimo Patient SafetyNet in its general wards.

Currently, Masim haso a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). MASI had reported earnings of 30 cents per share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents in the last reported quarter. Its revenues (including royalties) went up almost 12.0% to $137.4 million, also exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $136 million.

Apart from MASI, other medical instrument stocks that warrant a look include Mindray Medical International Ltd (MR), MAKO Surgical Corp. (MAKO) and Dexcom, Inc. (DXCM). All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).