Natus Medical coverage initiated with buy rating at UBS

NEW YORK, Jun 27, 2008 (Thomson Financial via COMTEX) -- BABY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- UBS Investment Research Friday initiated coverage of Natus Medical Inc. with a buy rating, saying the company's earnings have grown substantially in the past four years, and that there is a potential catalyst for earnings upside in 2009.

Since the beginning of Chief Executive Officer Jim Hawkins's tenure in 2004, Natus' sales have grown well and earnings per share have grown from a small loss to UBS' estimate of 68 cents a share in 2008, the firm said.

There is also potential for a large acquisition later in 2008, UBS added, which could drive 2009 earnings up. Natus tends to announce large acquisitions in the last quarter of the year.

Natus shares closed at $20.25 on Thursday. Christie Rizk cr/vj

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.

MMMM

Morning Coffee with TradingMarkets -- Free Newsletter

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index