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Ron Sommer is chief financial officer at an institution of higher education in New York City. He has 35 years of financial management experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Sommer has also been a private investor for more than 30 years. He uses a "value" bent in... More
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  • Techne Corporation (TECH) - Good Risk/Reward Proposition
     Techne Corporation (TECH) is a mid-cap biotechnology company that offers a good risk/reward profile, It is engaged in the development and manufacture of biotechnology products and hematology calibrators and controls. The company appears to be richly priced as compared to its competitors. However, we think this is a hidden gem.

    The company's strengths include a strong financial position with no long-term debt and cash in excess of current liabilities, expanding profit margins and outstanding return on equity.

     For a detailed analysis, go to: http://measuredapproach.wordpress.com.

     Quick Facts

     The results are in for the first quarter and Techne reported a decline in net earnings of 6.4% to $26.8 million ($0.72 per diluted share). In the prior year quarter, the company reported net income of $28.6 million or $0.74 per diluted share. Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $66.5 million, a 4.0% decrease from $69.32 million in the year-ago quarter. Four analysts estimated revenues of $66.70 million for the quarter. 

    TECH announced that its Board of Directors has decided to pay a dividend of $0.26 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The quarterly dividend will be payable November 23, 2009 to all common shareholders of record on November 9, 2009. Future cash dividends will be considered by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. 

    Disclosure: The author has no position in TECH.

    Tags: TECH
    Nov 22 01:51 pm | Link | Comment!
  • EZCORP (EZPW) – Fast Growth, Solid Profits, Low Price
    EZCORP (EZPW) – Fast Growth, Solid Profits, Low Price
     
    EZCorp offers pawn loans in 294 U.S.-based pawn shops and at 38 Mexico pawn shops. The company also sells forfeited collateral from its pawn shop operations. In 477 EZMONEY stores and 71 of its pawn shops, EZPW offers short-term, non-collateralized loans (pay-day loans.)
    More »
    Tags: EZPW
    Nov 15 02:30 pm | Link | Comment!
  • Forest Laboratories, A Strong Performer
    I have written about Forest Laboratories, Inc. (FRX) before. FRX is a mid-cap player in the biotech and drug markets. It is characterized by steady growth in both sales and earnings. Call this a value play. Its new product pipeline is promising and several products are now entering Phase 3 trials.

    For a detailed analysis of the company, go to https://measuredapproach.wordpress.com.

    Highlights:
    • Less debt equals less risk. FRX’s debt to equity ratio of 0.00% is exceptional.
    • FRX spends an increasing amount on Research & Development to keep its pipeline full. The company has a Price to Research ratio of 10.7, about right for a company of its size.
    • To measure growth rate persistence, we average the 3-year, 5-year and 7-year growth rates. Sales growth is 10.47% and the average EPS growth rate is 8.63%. This produces a current PEG of 1.38X.
    • The company is showing promising results with their investigational drug linaclotide in two Phase 3 trials.FRX and their partner, Richter Gedeon Nyrt, will start Phase 3 trials for the schizophrenic drug cariprazine.

    Disclosure: The author is long FRX.

    Tags: FRX
    Nov 08 01:44 pm | Link | Comment!
  • Friedman Industries, Inc., Great Prospects

    HIGHLIGHTS

    For a detailed analysis, go to http://measuredapproach.wordpress.com
    More »
    Tags: FRD
    Oct 25 02:04 pm | Link | Comment!
  • Amdocs - Fairly Valued
    For a small country, Israel produces more than its fair share of worldclass companies. Amdocs is one such company.
     
    For a detailed analysis of Amdocs Limited, go tohttp://measuredapproach.wordpress.com.
      
    More »
    Tags: DOX
    Oct 18 12:16 pm | Link | Comment!
  • Air T, Inc.

    Air T, Inc. (AIRT) is a micro cap company providing air courier and air freight services on a contract basis to express delivery services throughout the United States and the Caribbean. For FYE 03/31/2009, the company reported net income of $4.4 million on $90.7 million sales. The recent closing price on this company was $11.14.

    For a detailed analysis of AIR T, follow the link http://measuredapproach.wordpress.com.

    Company Profile (From Reuters):

    More »
    Tags: AIRT
    Oct 12 04:42 pm | Link | 1 Comment
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