Month: January 2015

Starbucks Corporation ( SBUX ) reportedly sold nearly 46 million gift cards this holiday season which we believe will boost the top line in first-quarter fiscal 2015, to be reported later this month. Per media reports, one out of every seven American received a Starbucks gift card this season, up from one in eight in 2013. Under the gift card program, Starbucks launched a uniquely designed Starbucks Card collection in November including more than 100 gift card designs. […]

A medical technology company with core expertise in neuromodulation – Cyberonics Inc. ( CYBX ) – continues to run into trouble on the reimbursement front. The company recently announced that the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) of the Department of Health and Human Services has declined its appeal on a medical reimbursement decision, taken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the 2007 National Coverage Determination on the VNS Therapy System […]

Stryker Corporation ( SYK ) has purchased the assets of CHG Hospital Beds, Inc. – a privately-held low-height hospital bed maker headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada. The acquisition will grow one of Stryker's original product lines – hospital beds […]

On Dec 31, 2014, we issued an updated research report on Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. ( WDR ). Despite witnessing a consistent improvement in the top line, the company’s financials remain troubled by rising expenses. […]

On Jan 6, Zacks Investment Research upgraded ON Semiconductor ( ONNN ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) from a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The upgrade came largely on the back of the company’s enhanced capital deployment policies. The stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 11.5x with long-term earnings growth expectation of 16.6% […]

Garmin Ltd. ’s ( GRMN ) unit, Garmin International’s success with its fitness tracker — Vivofit — continues. The company recently announced the launch of Vivofit 2, a lower-end wristband, at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015. […]

On Jan 5, 2014, we issued an updated research report on Health Care REIT, Inc. ( HCN ). The Toledo, OH-based equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) is continuing with its focus on the premium assets across global affluent markets […]

Onshore contract driller, Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. ( PTEN ) declared that its Dec 2014 drill rig count has decreased by three from the previous month to reach an average of 216. […]

Adding to the delight of its shareholders, Ventas, Inc. ( VTR ) has announced a prorated dividend on the common stock upon closing the acquisition of American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. The dividend will be applicable only after the successful merger of American Realty Capital with Ventas. […]