Stocks discussed in the lightning round session of Jim Cramer’s Mad Money TV program, Tuesday October 2. Click on a stock ticker for more analysis:

Bullish calls:

Bucyrus (BUCY): ‘I remember when it first went bankrupt and they came out of bankruptcy. It's all been good since then.’
Caterpillar (CAT): ‘ … as much as I like BUCY, I prefer Caterpillar … is a little down more from its high than BUCY, because it has more housing exposure.’
Vasco Data Security (VDSI): ‘ … even though it hit a 52-week high today, I like it but, remember, for actual big software now, I've been recommending Oracle.’
Oracle (ORCL): ‘ I’ve been recommending Oracle, because they had a truly blowout quarter... buy, buy, buy!’
Google (GOOG): ‘I believe the stock can go to $700. Remember, it's a $600 billion advertising market. I think that they could take $10 billion of it, and still not be done.’
Norsk Hydro (NHY): ‘You know, this company does have it all, and I've been trying to find a reason to recommend it... Memo to staff, let's do a little NHY work..’
BHP Billiton (BHP)
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM)
National Oilwell Varco (NOV): ‘Even up here, they have a hammerlock on building rigs... Even up here, I would buy NOV...’
Nastech (NSTK): ‘NSTK is more speculative than yours, but more ways to win... Obesity. We've got diabetes in there. We've got autism in there. We've got RNAI.’
Agrium (AGU)
Apple (AAPL): ‘I think the numbers are too low... It's been one of my favorites.’
Research In Motion (RIMM): ‘I wish I could get a pullback. I don't know if I can.’
Transocean (RIG):‘I am telling you … that stock's going back to its 52-week high of $120.’
Cytyc (CYTC): ‘It is now up literally 8 points from where I recommended it last week … I am not done recommending it. I know normally I would be. But the merger's so powerful, I see $70.’

The universe of cancer stocks endured several challenges during the quarter, extending its losses subsequent to the ASCO meeting in early June. The median return of the group now is -9.9% on the year thus far and the average is +4.7% (demonstrating the skew that attracts people in the first place to the sector). The AMEX Biotech Index [BTK] is up about 9% on the year. The lists below, with data from StockVal, are comprised of domestic companies primarily. The total universe has 104 names, though 12 have market caps below $50mm (and are excluded from all of the screens except the “weak” stocks. If the reader believes that there are erroneous inclusions or potential exclusions, feel free to let me know.

The lists below, with data from StockVal, are comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week. If the reader believes that there are erroneous inclusions or exclusions, feel free to let me know.

Despite lagging the market, there were several double-digit gainers and just one big loser. The entire universe returned a median of .5%, but a mean of just 0.1%, suggesting underperformance relative to the broad market by 90bps and 130 bps respectively. The week was quite big in terms of news for biotech in general, as there were several deals announced. While the stock actually made the “loser’s” list, Ariad (ARIA) was involved in a deal with Merck (MRK). Forbes had an interesting perspective. “RNAi” was the buzzword of the week, with Alnylam (ALNY) inking a deal with Roche (RHHBY). Amgen (AMGN) initiated a huge share repurchase, while Genentech (DNA) kicked off earnings season with a solid report (that met with more of the same – selling). The NY Times (registration required) had a very interesting article on Saturday about Biogen Idec’s Zevalin (as well as Bexxar), which as most are aware has been a huge dud. For those who don’t think that doctor’s sometimes put their own interests first, it is a must-read

The lists below, with data from StockVal, are comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week. If the reader believes that there are erroneous inclusions or exclusions, feel free to let me know.

There were even fewer outliers in this holiday-shortened week, with 4 double-digit gainers and just one double-digit decliner. The median return of 1.6% was slightly ahead of the S&P 500 return (for the first time after ASCO), and the average of 1.4% was in line. The volatility decline within the group over the past two weeks reflects the seasonality of quarter-end as well as the normal “calming” that follows all the reaction to the news out of ASCO.

The lists below, with data from StockVal, are comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week.

There were much fewer outliers this week, with 5 double-digit gainers and just three double-digit decliners. The median return of -0.7% trailed the S&P 500 return, which was flat, but the average of 0.1% was in line. Clearly, cancer-related stocks were very weak in June and are now lagging the market, on average, for the year-to-date.

The list below, with data from StockVal, is comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week.

The 14 double-digit declines exceeded the 12 that plunged immediately following the ASCO meeting, with just a single double-digit gainer. The median return of -4.2% and the average return of -4.9 trailed the S&P 500 significantly (-2.3% and -3.0% respectively). Clearly, cancer-related stocks have been very weak this month and are now lagging the market, on average, for the year-to-date.

Bullish calls:

The list below, with data from StockVal, is comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week.

The number of double-digit declines decreased from 12 to just 4, but there were no double-digit gainers. The median return of 0.0 and the average return of -0.3 trailed the S&P 500 significantly (-1.6% and -2% respectively). Of all the weaker stocks, only IDM Pharma (IDMI) remains up month-to-date. The 20% decline this week almost erased the strong gains thus far in June. The company suffered management losses and a tough FDA rejection in May but is still up year-to-date. Telik (TELK) continued its death march after an FDA failure for its lead drug in the prior week. Late Friday, though, the company received news that the full hold had been converted to a partial hold on Telcyta clinical trials. Genvec (GNVC) is having a horrible month, but it remains up strongly year-to-date. It is sitting on pretty solid support at this point and remains in an uptrend. For those not familiar, the company is working on a vaccine to treat pancreatic cancer. Finally, Zila (ZILA) saw its CEO depart as the corporate governance investigation nears an end. Zila focuses on oral cancer detection.

In any event, cancer-related stocks plunged in the week that followed the ASCO meeting in Chicago (June 1-5).

Last week’s huge winner, Novacea (NOVC), gave back about 1/3 of its gains.

Last week’s big winner, Bioenvision (BIVN), received an offer from partner Genzyme (GENZ) at a disappointing premium but well ahead of multi-year lows reached in early May.

The list below is comprised of domestic companies primarily with market caps in excess of $50mm, ranked by the return this past week.

I recently created a list of companies with market capitalization in excess of $50mm at the beginning of May that derive a significant amount of their market value from cancer-related pursuits. The group includes primarily biotech companies seeking cures, but it also has diagnostic and other types of treatment companies.

I ask the reader to please let me know if there are any omissions or erroneous inclusions. Here is the list, ranked on price performance over the past week:

At the same time, management is promising the acquisition will be slightly accretive in the first year following the merger. This probably means they will try to swallow all the tough write offs and expenses this year.

Management has also made some very big statements about how lovely everything will be. No anticipated layoffs at the operating level. Savings in marketing and logistics and increased international efforts. Smooth sailing all the way through.

Diagnostic imaging company Hologic Inc. is acquiring Cytyc, a medical device manufacturer, for $6.2 billion in cash and stock. Cytyc shareholders are to receive 0.52 shares of Hologic common stock and $16.50 in cash for each share of Cytyc stock. That amounts to $46.46 per share, a 33% premium to Cytyc's Friday close. Both companies are leaders in women's healthcare: Hologic is known for its digital breast cancer screening and Cytyc for its minimally invasive surgical treatment for menorrhagia, a menstrual disorder. Cytyc's core business is Pap smear tests for cervical cancer, a business that has slowed recently as research has shown that they don't need to be done as often as was previously thought. Cytyc's device sales, particularly the menorrhagia device, have outperformed the Pap smear test business. In 2006, Cytyc posted revenue of $608 million, up 20% from the year before. Hologic's digital mammography machines, though relatively expensive, have been popular among doctors because of their crisp images. Hologic saw sales of $463 million in fiscal 2006 and its stock has risen sevenfold in five years. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 and is forecast to add to Hologic's earnings in the first year thereafter. For fiscal 2008, combined sales are projected at over $1.7 billion and combined adjusted EPS at $2.35-2.40.

The main product for Adeza is FullTerm, The Fetal Fibronectin Test which identifies women at risk for preterm birth. Currently, FullTerm produces revenue of about $50 million, but Cytyc estimates it has potential for $500 million annually, given Cytyc’s already existing OB/GYN sales force. Cytyc expects the purchase to be neutral to earnings in 2007 and to add 5 cents in 2008. Cytyc rose 73 cents to $30.28, a 2.5% gain, while Adeza shot 53% higher, climbing $8.25 to end at $23.78.

The Helica Thermal Coagulator, as the device is called, is used by obstetricians and gynecologists for treating endometriosis. It is estimated that over 16 million women suffer from the condition world wide.

Bullish calls: