Stryker Corp. (SYK) recently announced that share repurchases of up to $750 million has been authorized by its Board of Directors. The manner, timing and amount of any purchases will depend on market conditions, stock price and other factors and will be subject to regulatory considerations. Share repurchases can be made from the open market [...]

(SYK) Stryker’s Announces New Share Repurchases

Stryker Corp. (SYK) recently announced that share repurchases of up to $750 million has been authorized by its Board of Directors. The manner, timing and amount of any purchases will depend on market conditions, stock price and other factors and will be subject to regulatory considerations. Share repurchases can be made from the open market and in privately negotiated transactions.
 
Stryker had a strong cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of roughly $2.9 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2009. The company may make use of this cash for repurchases of shares. Stryker had 397.7 million shares outstanding as of Oct 31, 2009.  
 
Stryker’s Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Jan 29, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec 30, 2009. This is the first time the company has announced a quarterly dividend. Stryker’s Board of Directors has modified its dividend policy to adopt a quarterly payment schedule in place of an annual one.
 
The share repurchases and dividend payment programs will boost shareholder value for Stryker’s shareholders by returning them significant capital on their investment. Stryker is one of the world’s largest medical devices companies operating in the global orthopedic market. In the orthopedic space, Stryker faces competition from major players like Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH), CONMED Corp. (CNMD), Smith & Nephew (SNN), Johnson & Johnson/DePuy (JNJ) and Wright Medical (WMGI).
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Charles Dickens could have written this story.

Johnson and Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) closed yesterday at $64.25. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $46.25 and 52-week high of $65.28. Johnson and Johnson stock has been showing support around 63.56 and resistance in the 64.98 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives JNJ a positive 4 STA...(Click the story link or go to http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com for the full story)

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Market-trouncing returns could be written in this 4-Star.

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Recently, Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX) came out with positive data from a phase IIb study of carfilzomib at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans. We are pleased to see that carfilzomib was found to be well-tolerated in heavily pre-treated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The company also [...]

(ONXX) Onyx Pharmaceuticals gets Positive Data

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) recently announced that BD Diagnostics, a segment of BDX, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to utilize its BD ProbeTec Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Qx and BD ProbeTec Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Qx Amplified DNA Assays with samples collected from women’s routine liquid-based Pap testing for cervical cancer screening. The [...]

(BDX) Becton, Dickinson and Co Receives FDA Clearance

After the furious market rally for most of 2009, are there still pockets of opportunity left for investors? For the most part the market looks fairly valued, but some stocks and sectors still look cheap enough to pique interest. We'll take a look at the best ideas in a few sectors, along with some of the major trends to watch over the next 12 months.[More...]

As a dividend growth investor, my strategy is picking the right stocks that provide a decent balance between dividend yield and distribution growth.[More...]

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) recently announced that BD Diagnostics, a segment of BDX, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to utilize its BD ProbeTec Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Qx and BD ProbeTec Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Qx Amplified DNA Assays with samples collected from women's routine liquid-based Pap testing for cervical cancer screening.
 
The BD ProbeTec Qx Amplified DNA Assays are the first to receive FDA clearance for gynecological specimens collected and transported for Pap testing in cervical cancer. Pap testing is one of the two leading types of liquid-based cytology (LBC) preservative media on the market today. Pap Testing uses detachable-head collection devices that ensure that 100% of collected cells are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
 
The ability to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea while screening for cervical cancer provides physicians more information on patients enabling them to take important patient care decisions. It is seen that if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea in women can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million chlamydia cases were reported in 2007.
 
Becton, Dickinson and Co. develops, manufactures and markets medical devices, supplies, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products globally. The company is a world leader in safety needle products. Becton competes with players like Baxter International Inc. (BAX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Abbott Laboratories (ABT).
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Recently, Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX) came out with positive data from a phase IIb study of carfilzomib at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans. We are pleased to see that carfilzomib was found to be well-tolerated in heavily pre-treated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The company also stated that enrollment of 269 patients in this trial has been completed and data should be available in the second half of 2010. We believe favorable data could support a potential new drug application (NDA) filing by year-end 2010.

Additionally, Onyx reported safety data from another study that showed carfilzomib can be used in patients over a long period of time even for those who are suffering from other illnesses. Carfilzomib was added to Onyx’s portfolio following the company’s acquisition of Proteolix for an upfront cash payment of $276 million during the third quarter of 2009. We believe that the acquisition of Proteolix has resulted in a significant addition to Onyx’s cancer pipeline.

A late-stage, multiple myeloma study to evaluate carfilzomib in combination with Celgene Inc's (CELG) Revlimid and the anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone is expected to start in 2010. FDA approval of carfilzomib, potentially in 2011, would provide further options to patients who have not responded to other multiple myeloma drugs. Carfilzomib is also being evaluated in early stage studies for solid tumor cancers.
 
While there’s no cure for multiple myeloma, on approval, carfilzomib will compete with Velcade, sold in the US by Takeda Pharmaceutical and overseas by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Multiple myeloma, the second most common hematologic cancer, results from an abnormality of plasma cells usually in the bone marrow. More than 50,000 people are living with the disease in the US and approximately 20,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. More than 180,000 people suffer from multiple myeloma globally with approximately 86,000 new cases being diagnosed annually. Onyx can enter the $4 billion myeloma market as soon as 2011 if the FDA evaluates the drug under an accelerated six month review process.

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EP Vantage submits:

Hotly anticipated data from a big trial of Celgene’s (CELG) Revlimid in multiple myeloma were released at the American Society of Hematology (Ash) yesterday and, as is often the case, prompted more questions that answers. This is partly because the study, called MM-015, has not finished yet, meaning the next data read out which will probably happen at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting (Asco) in June is now firmly in the calendars of Celgene followers.

Although many saw the Ash event as an opportunity to hold the drug up against Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) rival myeloma therapy, Velcade, consensus forecasts reveal that analysts are already expecting Revlimid to become a substantially bigger product, as the table below shows. Partly this is because as a pill, compared to Velcade's infusion administration, it is more convenient. Despite this Velcade is still a capable competitor, and further information is needed to determine exactly how big a drug Revlimid can become.

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The megadrugmaker jumps on the biogeneric bandwagon.