We’re adding ResMed to our picks

Article Excerpt

RESMED INC. $120.54 (New York symbol RMD; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (800-424-0737; www.resmed.com; Shares o/s: 143.4 million; Market cap: $16.9 billion; Divd. yield: 1.2%) makes and distributes CPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) medical devices. They are used to treat patients with sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory conditions. Sleep apnea can put immense strain on the body. An immediate short-term effect is sleep deprivation, but over time that can result in low energy, irritability, memory loss, lack of concentration and depression. ResMed has grown quickly over the last five years. The company’s revenue jumped 50.5% from 2014 to 2018, from $1.56 billion to $2.34 billion. Earnings per share climbed 37.7%, from $2.39 to $3.29, on more shares outstanding. In the three months ended March 31, 2019, revenue rose 11.9%, to $662.2 million from $591.6 million a year earlier. That’s mainly due to the company’s launch of new masks and upgrades to its products. Earnings in the quarter, excluding unusual items, fell 3.3%, to $128.1…