Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of Zeltiq Aesthetics (ZLTQ), a medical device company focused on developing non-invasive products for the reduction of fat, soared as much as 43% after reporting much better-than-expected third-quarter results and boosting its full-year forecast.
So what: For the quarter, Zeltiq reported a whopping 64% jump in revenue to $29.5 million aided by improved sales and cycles of its CoolSculpting non-invasive fat reduction device used in cases where diet and exercise don't work. Zeltiq also narrowed its loss to just $0.08 per share. By comparison, the Street had been projecting a loss of $0.19 per share on just $21.6 million in sales. Looking ahead, Zeltiq doubled its full-year revenue growth forecast to 40% from 20%, implying sales of $106.7 million for the year, and boosted its gross margin projection to 69% from 67%. This is the second-time in two quarters that Zeltiq has doubled its growth forecast, as it was pegged at just 10% prior to the second quarter! The consensus estimate for the full year on the Street was just $92.5 million prior to Zeltiq's update.
Now what: Wow, was that a drubbing of analyst's expectations! What we're seeing here is just how popular any non-invasive surgical option is to lose weight, or at least improve our appearance. With 35.7% of the nation considered obese and two-thirds considered cumulatively to be overweight or obese, the market for fighting unwanted extra weight is huge. Zeltiq is really just in the beginning stages of its development and, while not profitable yet, should be profitable by next year if growth continues at this pace and gross margins head higher. I would certainly suggest adding this company to your watchlist moving forward.
