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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
Cytori's IP and Cash Position Solid
Two concerns for investors in Cytori Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) have been the intellectual property (IP) and the cash position. We believe both are solid, and should not prohibit investment in the name at the current stock price.
Intellectual property has been a concern for investors ever since the summer of 2008 when the U.S. District Court in California removed The University of California from USPTO # 6,777,231, a patient licensed from Cal to Cytori which covers isolated adipose-derived stem cells. However, since that time, management has vigorously worked to protect its ability to isolate adipose-derived stem cells and sell the Celution System. And despite the loss of the '231 patent at Cal, Cytori has half a dozen other active patents protecting the Celution System, which includes 5 different device components or reagents.
Luminex - Expect Strong Growth in 2009
Luminex Corp. (Nasdaq: LMNX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) posted revenue of $104.5 million in 2008, marking growth of 39% from 2007. Technology segment sales increased 34% to $83.6 million, while Assay segment sales grew 66% to $20.9 million. Through the first quarter 2009, Technology segment sales grew 13% to $21.1 million and Assay segment sales increased 2% to $4.5 million. Total revenue grew 11% in the first quarter to $25.6 million. Technology segment sales continue to be driven by growth in consumables and royalties.
EPS came in at $0.08 in 2008 and $0.04 (adjusted for litigation expense) in the first quarter 2009, compared to ($0.47) and ($0.03) in the year-earlier periods, respectively. Gross margins increased by 240 basis points in the most recent quarter as the company's product mix shifted towards higher margin consumables and royalties.
Expect Writedowns For Bank NY Mellon
Profits for 2009 at Bank of NY Mellon (NYSE: BK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) should reflect further writedowns from securitized mortgages that it still has on its books.
Presently, BK has securitized mortgages totaling $34 billion on its books, representing approximately 2% of the company's balance sheet.
Even though the company has seen the curtailment of its profits during this current crisis, it has posted profits and expects to remain profitable for 2009 overall.
First Advantage Receives Buyout Offer
Shares of First Advantage Corporation (Nasdaq: FADV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) are trading higher today after the company received a buyout offer. First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), which already owns 74% of the outstanding shares of First Advantage, is seeking to acquire the remaining 26% of the company that it does not control.
The offer calls for First Advantage shareholders to receive 0.5375 shares of First American common stock for each share of First Advantage common stock owned. Based upon Friday's closing prices, the deal values First Advantage at $14.04 per share, for a premium of approximately 10%.
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