Discontinued Product Helped Lift Earnings

Article Excerpt

IDEXX LABORATORIES INC. $58 (Nasdaq symbol IDXX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 60.3 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) has gained 20% in the past three months, mainly due to higher-than-expected earnings. In the second quarter of 2008, Idexx’s earnings grew 85.3%, to $0.63 a share from $0.34 a year earlier. The year-earlier quarter included writedowns and other items that cut earnings by $0.11 a share. However, if you disregard these items, earnings in the latest quarter still grew 43.2%. Revenue rose 18.4%, to $280.6 million from $237.0 million, thanks mainly to strong demand for veterinary diagnostic equipment and water testing kits. However, Idexx had to discontinue an insulin treatment for cats due to shortages of raw materials. Strong demand for this product helped drive sales, and added $0.09 a share to earnings in the latest quarter. Idexx is developing a replacement product, but it will take several months for it to receive regulatory approval. Idexx is…