Here are some of the biggest dividend stock winners and losers from the week that just ended. Company Fri. Close Weekly% Change Medtronic Inc. (MDT) $42.99 +8.51% Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) $29.75 +8.26% Dillard’s Inc. (DDS) $16.89 +7.85% CBRL Group Inc. (CBRL) $37.45 +7.83% NutriSystem Inc (NTRI) $24.56 +7.77% Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) $74.60 +7.09% Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK) $24.17 +4.95% Tiffany & Co. (TIF) $43.21 +4.62% Bank of America Corporation (BAC) $15.47 -3.85% Icici Bank (IBN) $36.41 -4.28% Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) $20.87 -4.31% Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) $41.15 -4.48% Westpac Banking Corporation (WBK) $105.84 -4.55% Morgan Stanley (MS) $30.51 -4.95% optionsXpress [...]

The medical device market hasn't escaped the recession, but it's coming back strong.

Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent in the U.S. and Europe. The new product is used for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable [...]

(BSX) Boston Scientific Earns FDA Clearance

 

Biotech investors interested in seeing more details about these companies and a full list of their related stories can do so by typing the stock ticker symbol into the Stock Quotes box on the right side of the page.Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the following webcast for the investment community:  Credit Suisse Annual Technology Conference ThePhoenician, Scottsdale, Ariz.Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 9:30 a.m. MSTRon Nersesian, president, Electronic Measurement Group.Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEA) announced today that Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D., president and chief executive officer, will present at the Piper Jaffray 21st Annual Health Care Conference.AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNR) today announced that the Company will present at the 21st Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference on Wednesday, December 2nd at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time (11:30 a.m. Pacific time) at the New York Palace Hotel in New York.Biomagnetics Diagnostics Corp., (OTC:BMGP) a developer of revolutionary diagnostic systems and technology for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and malaria detection, today announced the Company will hold an investor conference call to discuss upcoming business opportunities and its agreement with one of the world’s premiere research laboratories.China Sky One Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSKI), a leading fully integrated pharmaceutical company developing and producing over-the-counter drugs in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), today announced that the Company recently passed the Chinese National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products ("ICPBP") examination for two of its new products: its Diagnostic Kit for Human Prostate Specific Antigen (Colloidal Gold) and its Determination Kit for Luteinizing Hormone (Colloidal Gold).Covidien (NYSE:COV) will present at the 21st Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference in New York on Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Charles J. Dockendorff, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will represent the Company in a session scheduled at 8:30 a.m. ET.Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS), a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced that the Company will be presenting at the Piper Jaffray 21st Annual Healthcare Conference at 11:00 a.m. EST on December 2, 2009, in New York City. Normal 0

Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that its Board of Directors approved the termination of Shahram K. Rabbani’s services as the Company’s Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, effective immediately.

Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:EXAS) today announced that it will present at the Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference, which is being held Dec. 1-2, at the New York Palace Hotel.GLG Life Tech Corporation (NASDAQ:GLGL), the vertically integrated leader in the agricultural and industrial development of high quality stevia extracts, announced today that it has completed its previously announced equity offering (the "Offering").Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSI) today announced that it has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ZALBIN™ (albinterferon alfa-2b) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDRA), today announced that Novartis will terminate its research collaboration agreement with the Company, effective as of February 21, 2010.Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISPH) announced today that Christy L. Shaffer, Ph.D., President and CEO, and Thomas R. Staab, II, CFO and Treasurer, will present at the 21st Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:00 am ET in New York City.Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new stock repurchase program, authorizing the company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock.Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ:INCY) announced today that it has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Novartis for two of its investigational hematology-oncology therapies: INCB18424, an oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor that is in Phase III development for myelofibrosis, a serious life-threatening neoplastic condition characterized by varying degrees of bone marrow failure, splenic enlargement and debilitating constitutional symptoms, and INCB28060, an oral cMET inhibitor that is about to enter Phase I development as a potential treatment for multiple cancers.Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), the world’s leading medical technology company, today announced it will participate in the 21st Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in New York.NuVasive, Inc. (Nasdaq:NUVA), a medical device company focused on developing products for minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine, announced today that it will host a conference call on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT.Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIR), the leading stem cell therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat medical conditions in the inflammatory, orthopedic and cardiovascular areas, announced today that C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the 21st Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. EST.Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PRX) today announced the results of its "Modified Dutch Auction" tender offer, in which Par offered no purchase, for cash, up to $65,000,000 aggregate principal amount, or up to approximately 82.7%, of its outstanding 2.875% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2010.Unilife Medical Solutions Limited (ASX:UNI) (OTC:UNIFF) today announced the filing of patent applications in the United States ("US") for a new ready-to-fill syringe product to be marketed as the Unifill™ Select.

Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent in the U.S. and Europe. The new product is used for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable esophageal cancer.
 
With the new approval, Boston’s complete portfolio of WallFlex Stent family of self-expanding metal stents is now available in the U.S. , Europe and other international markets. The company had earlier received approval for marketing the WallFlex Partially Covered Esophageal Stent in U.S. and Europe in 2008. 
 
The WallFlex Fully and Partially Covered Stents prevent tumor ingrowth by using a proprietary Permalume silicone covering. This also reduces the impaction of food. It is seen that patients suffering from esophageal cancer may have difficulties in swallowing, even while consuming liquids. The WallFlex Esophageal Stent prevents this by re-establishing patency (openness) of the esophagus. This in turn makes life easier for patients. 
 
We think that the unique features of the WallFlex Fully Covered Stents are likely to make them widely acceptable amongst surgeons. This will boost demand for these stents which will increase the company’s top-line.
 
Boston Scientific is a manufacturer of medical devices and products used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. The company faces significant competition across its product portfolio. The primary competitors include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Medtronic Inc. (MDT), Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and St. Jude Medical Inc. (STJ).
Read the full analyst report on "BSX"
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Read the full analyst report on "STJ"
Zacks Investment Research

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) reported second-quarter of fiscal 2010 earnings per share of 77 cents, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents and the year-ago earnings per share of 67 cents. Sales Total revenues in the reported quarter increased 8% year over year to $3.838 billion. Growth was witnessed across all the seven business segments. Cardiac [...]

(MDT) Medtronic Beats Analysts Estimates

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) reported second-quarter of fiscal 2010 earnings per share of 77 cents, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents and the year-ago earnings per share of 67 cents.

Sales
Total revenues in the reported quarter increased 8% year over year to $3.838 billion. Growth was witnessed across all the seven business segments. Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) revenues increased 3% year over year to $1.278 billion, driven by strong demand for the company’s implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Spinal revenues increased 4% year over year to $862 million. Growth was fueled by higher demand for Kyphon and Biologics products.

CardioVascular revenues increased 17% year over year to $696 million. An increase in revenues can be attributed to strong sales growth across the company’s Coronary, Endovascular and Structural Heart Disease divisions.

Higher demand for Medtronic’s Endeavor Drug-eluting Stent in Japan also fueled growth in this segment. Neuromodulation revenues increased 12% year over year to $384 million, primarily due to higher sales of Activa PC, RC Deep Brain Stimulation systems and InterStim Therapy.

Diabetes, Surgical Technologies and Physio-Control revenues also increased 10%, 5%, and 25% year over year to $300 million, $224 million, and $94 million, respectively.

On a geographic basis, U.S. sales contributed 60% of total revenues and increased approximately 5% year over year. International sales increased 12% year over year.

Margins
Gross margin in the reported quarter increased 70 basis points (bps) year over year to roughly 76.0%. Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales increased 50 bps year over year to 9.6%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined 90 bps year over year to 34.5%.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
Medtronic ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of roughly $1.542 billion, a decline of approximately 8% in the first half of the fiscal year. The company had an outstanding long-term debt of $6.368 billion at the end of the second quarter. Cash flow from operations was $781 million for the quarter.

Outlook
Medtronic raised its earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2010. For the year, earnings per share are expected in the range of $3.17 to $3.22, compared to the prior guidance of $3.10 to $3.20. The company also reiterated its constant currency revenue growth forecast in the range of 5% to 8%.

Medtronic is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, specializing in implantable and interventional therapy devices and products. The company’s main competitors are St. Jude Medical (STJ) and Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX).
Read the full analyst report on "MDT"
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Zacks Investment Research

U.S. stocks closed lower Tuesday, paring deeper losses, as economic concerns kept investors on tenterhooks.  However, the markets managed to contain losses as a brighter forecast from the Federal Reserve assured investors about the sustainability of the recovery.  Also, a weaker dollar helped shares of commodity-related and industrial companies. 

The markets only gathered steam in the afternoon after the Fed released minutes from its latest meeting.  While pledging to keep interest rates at record low levels, the Fed policymakers, however, noted record low interest rates could lead to excessive risk-taking in financials markets.  Nevertheless, the Fed raised its outlook for economic growth during the second half of this year, but said unemployment levels will remain high.  The Fed lowered its unemployment estimates to 9.3%-9.7% in 2010 from 9.5%-9.8%, noting the economy continues to improve.

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 17.24 points, or 0.2%, to 10,433.71.  The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index fell 0.59 points, or 0.1%, to 1,105.65, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 6.83 points, or 0.3%, to 2,169.18.  The CBOE Vix index dropped to its lowest in fourteen months, off 3.3% to 20.47.  On the NYSE volume dropped to 0.952 billion shares, with declining issues ahead of advancing shares by an eight to seven margin.

Tuesday saw volatile and a low volume trading, a trend that is likely to continue through the holiday-shortened week.  All financial markets are closed Thursday for Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, healthcare companies helped offset drops in financial and industrial shares.  Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) jumped more than 7% after the medical device maker reported a surprise 59% increase in its quarterly profit and raised its full-year outlook.  Shares in the company rose $2.94, or 7.3%, to $43.25.

Among financial companies, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) led the declining issues in the Dow average, falling 1.9% to $42.48.  Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) fell 1.2% to $16.10, while Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) dropped 1.5% to $32.12. Fifth Third Bancorp (NYSE:FITB) fell 1.6% to $10.01.

Safe-haven assets such as Treasuries and gold prices rose.  Treasuries performed well after the $42 billion auction in 5-year notes received a strong response.  Gold prices hit a fresh record close for the eighth consecutive day, closing up $1.90 at $1165.50 per ounce. 

Zacks Investment Research

U.S. stocks closed lower Tuesday, paring deeper losses, as economic concerns kept investors on tenterhooks.  However, the markets managed to contain losses as a brighter forecast from the Federal Reserve assured investors about the sustainability of the recovery.  Also, a weaker dollar helped shares of commodity-related and industrial companies. 

The markets only gathered steam in the afternoon after the Fed released minutes from its latest meeting.  While pledging to keep interest rates at record low levels, the Fed policymakers, however, noted record low interest rates could lead to excessive risk-taking in financials markets.  Nevertheless, the Fed raised its outlook for economic growth during the second half of this year, but said unemployment levels will remain high.  The Fed lowered its unemployment estimates to 9.3%-9.7% in 2010 from 9.5%-9.8%, noting the economy continues to improve.

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 17.24 points, or 0.2%, to 10,433.71.  The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index fell 0.59 points, or 0.1%, to 1,105.65, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 6.83 points, or 0.3%, to 2,169.18.  The CBOE Vix index dropped to its lowest in fourteen months, off 3.3% to 20.47.  On the NYSE volume dropped to 0.952 billion shares, with declining issues ahead of advancing shares by an eight to seven margin.

Tuesday saw volatile and a low volume trading, a trend that is likely to continue through the holiday-shortened week.  All financial markets are closed Thursday for Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, healthcare companies helped offset drops in financial and industrial shares.  Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) jumped more than 7% after the medical device maker reported a surprise 59% increase in its quarterly profit and raised its full-year outlook.  Shares in the company rose $2.94, or 7.3%, to $43.25.

Among financial companies, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) led the declining issues in the Dow average, falling 1.9% to $42.48.  Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) fell 1.2% to $16.10, while Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) dropped 1.5% to $32.12. Fifth Third Bancorp (NYSE:FITB) fell 1.6% to $10.01.

Safe-haven assets such as Treasuries and gold prices rose.  Treasuries performed well after the $42 billion auction in 5-year notes received a strong response.  Gold prices hit a fresh record close for the eighth consecutive day, closing up $1.90 at $1165.50 per ounce. 

Zacks Investment Research

Medical device maker Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) was upgraded on Wednesday by analysts at Barclays Capital, as well as Morgan Stanley. Barclays said that it raised its price target on MDT to $51 from $48, citing better-than expected second quarter earnings. The broker also raised its 2010 and 2011 earnings estimates for the company to $3.18 and [...]

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Yesterday's market is today's moneymaking road map.

US stocks finished lower on Tuesday after Federal Reserve upped its forecast for economic growth in 2010 but warned that jobless rate would likely remain high next year.[More...]

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The markets pulled back this morning as traders/investors took some profits off their plate before trading begins to really lighten up tomorrow and Friday, which by the way, will only be a half-day session with the markets closing at 1:00pm Est. Volume finished slightly lower than yesterday at 3.7 Billion shares traded on the NYSE. Volume [...]