Based on the aggregated intelligence of 160,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, veterinary services specialist VCA Antech
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at VCA Antech's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
VCA Antech facts
Headquarters (Founded) |
Los Angeles (1986) |
Market Cap |
$2.36 billion |
Industry |
Health-care facilities |
Trailing-12-Month Revenue |
$1.31 billion |
Management |
Co-Founder/CEO Robert Antin Co-Founder/COO Arthur Antin |
Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) |
20.5% |
Cash/Debt |
$145.2 million / $545.4 million |
Competitors |
IDEXX Labs |
Key Suppliers |
General Electric
Varian Medical Systems |
Other Highly Rated Pet Stocks |
PetMed Express
PetSmart |
Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 95% of the 244 members who have rated VCA Antech believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Star Jeffreyw, who is ranked in the top 3% of our community, and reeshau.
Just last week, Jeffreyw tapped VCA Antech as a defensive investor's best friend:
I guess even in a down economy people cling to their pets, looking for that comfort in their "unconditional love."
In an earlier pitch, reeshau also encouraged Fools:
[VCA Antech] is a large player in a fragmented market, which is a classic way for a grower in a boring business. By applying their operating efficiencies to businesses they purchase, they gain profit without investing in greenfield growth. ... Vet offices are largely small businesses, with single or a few owners who are looking to sell when they retire. Their options are either younger vets, or [VCA Antech]. With financing difficult in the next few years and deteriorating business conditions, I expect there will be more people looking to get out than to get in.
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