Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

ResMed Rests Easy

By Billy Fisher – Updated Nov 14, 2016 at 11:27PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Pillowed by healthy sales, the medical-device maker dreams of future expansion.

Shareholders of ResMed (NYSE:RMD) probably slept better last night, after the medical device maker reported a healthy Q4. Pro forma earnings per share totaled $0.41, up by a penny year over year, on a 12% increase in revenue.

ResMed produces and markets various devices for screening and treating patients suffering from sleep and respiratory disorders. The specialized sleep therapy market has been growing increasingly lucrative since ResMed's IPO in mid-1995. In the past five years alone, shares of ResMed have appreciated 250%. Shares of competitor Respironics (NASDAQ:RESP) have appreciated approximately 200% in the same period.

In its most recent quarter, ResMed benefited from 10% sales growth in its Americas segment, and 14% sales growth in all other regions. The company also continued to expand sales of its Adapt SV device, specifically designed to treat central sleep apnea (difficulty breathing during sleep).

Is now a good time to buy into ResMed? The company appears to have overcome the resistance that its stock faced upon a voluntary product recall in April, and it plans to launch a number of new products in its mask and flow-generator segments in the upcoming quarters. ResMed has also received a warm response to its newly launched full-face masks. If these initiatives continue to gain steam, and ResMed maintains its historically strong gross margin, I think a return to the 52-week high it posted last February might not be beyond investors' wildest dreams.

Which health-care stocks made the cut at Tom and David Gardner's Motley Fool Stock Advisor newsletter? Check out all their market-beating picks with a free 30-day trial.

Fool contributor Billy Fisher does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. The Fool's disclosure policy performs sheep-based calculations nightly.

None

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

ResMed Inc. Stock Quote
ResMed Inc.
RMD
$215.10 (0.28%) $0.59

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
329%
 
S&P 500 Returns
106%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/26/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.