Little-known Idexx has special appeal

Article Excerpt

IDEXX LABORATORIES INC. $53 (Nasdaq symbol IDXX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 58.6 million; Market cap: $3.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.0; No dividends paid; WSSF Rating: Average) makes equipment that veterinarians use to detect diseases in animals. It also makes systems that detect contaminants in water and milk. The company sells its products in over 100 countries. Idexx began operating in 1983, and dominates its niche market. Despite its long history of success, many investors have probably never heard of Idexx, and few brokers cover it. Revenue rose 61.7%, from $638.1 million in 2005 to $1.03 billion in 2009. Earnings rose 54.1%, from $79.3 million in 2005 to $122.2 million in 2009. Idexx is an aggressive buyer of its own shares. It spent $83.1 million on share buybacks in 2009. Because of fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share rose 71.8%, from $1.17 in 2005 to $2.01 in 2009. Research fuels Idexx’s growth A big part of Idexx’s success is its…