C.R. BARD INC. $220

C.R. BARD INC. $220 (New York symbol BCR; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 73.3 million; Market cap: $16.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.7; Dividend yield: 0.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.crbard.com) makes medical devices in four main areas: oncology products that detect and treat various types of cancer; vascular products such as stents and catheters; urology goods, including drainage and incontinence devices; and surgical tools. The company continues to benefit from its new growth strategy, which involves selling less-profitable businesses and buying other medical-device makers. Bard earned $177.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, up 9.5% from $161.6 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 11.4%, to $2.34 from $2.10, on fewer shares outstanding. Sales gained 6.6%, to $873.5 million from $819.7 million. Without the high U.S. dollar’s negative impact, sales rose 8%. The company expects its earnings for all of 2016 will rise about 11.5%, to between $10.05 and $10.18 a share. The stock trades at 21.7 times the midpoint of that range. That’s still a reasonable multiple, as Bard products are typically only used once so customers must continually buy new ones. C.R. Bard is a buy.

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