C.R. Bard Inc, symbol BCR on New York, makes medical devices in four main areas: vascular products (28% of sales) such as stents and catheters; oncology products (27%) that detect and treat various types of cancer; urology products (26%) such as drainage and incontinence devices; and surgical tools (16%). Other medical products supply the remaining 3%. We analyze C.R. Bard in Wall Street Stock Forecaster, our newsletter for investing in the U.S. stock market. In the first quarter of 2011, Bard’s sales rose 7.6%, to $700.3 million from $650.8 million a year earlier. Earnings gained 9.1% to $131.9 million, or $1.49 per share. The stock market pick earned $121.2 million, or $1.24 a share, a year earlier. The company has several plans to spur its growth. For example, it aims to increase its international sales, which now account for 30% of total sales. As well, Bard wants to launch more new products. Research expenses of $48.0 million represented 6.9% of sales, compared with $40.6 million, or 6.2% of sales, in 2010. Bard intends to spend 7.5% of its sales on research in 2011. If you invest in the U.S. stock market, you should subscribe to Wall Street Stock Forecaster. You can get the latest issue absolutely FREE when you subscribe now. Click here to learn how.
Stock market: C.R. Bard’s earnings rise 9.1% in latest quarter
Scott is an associate editor at TSI Network. He is the lead reporter and analyst for Dividend Advisor, Power Growth Investor and Canadian Wealth Advisor and a member of the Investment Planning Committee. Scott began his investment and financial career working with Pat McKeough at The Investment Reporter in the 1980s. Subsequently, he worked at the Financial Post Corporation Service for 10 years. He joined TSI Network in 1998. He is a Bachelor of Economics graduate of York University, and he also has an M.B.A. from the Schulich School of Business.