Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hello, Patrick. My dog just had a session at the veterinarian, who prescribed medication, and that has me thinking. Do you have any information about a drug company called PetMed Express (PETS on Nasdaq)? Are there any other pet-care stocks you would recommend? Best wishes and thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: PetMed Express, $34.86, symbol PETS on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 20.6 million; Market cap: $716.1 million, www.1800petmeds.com), is a leading online U.S.-wide pet pharmacy. The company does business as 1-800-PetMeds. It sells prescription and non-prescription medications, and other health-related products, through three main channels: the Internet, telephone contact centers, and direct mail. PetMed’s sales have risen steadily over the last five years. On the other hand, profits have moved up much more strongly. That’s because the company in increasingly selling higher-profit margin pet medications. In fiscal 2013 (years end March 31) the company reported of sales of $227.8 million. In 2018, sales were 20.2% higher, at $273.8 million. PetMed made $17.2 million or $0.86 a share in 2013. By 2018, earnings had moved up 116.9%, to $37.3 million, or $1.83 a share. For the most recent quarter, ended March 31, 2018, PetMed’s revenue rose 6.8%, to $67.3 million from $63.0 million. Earnings jumped 35.7%, to $10.2 million, or $0.50 a share, from $7.5…