Three buys for post-pandemic returns

Article Excerpt

These three medical device makers continue to enjoy strong demand for their products as hospitals and clinics resume regular procedures on easing of COVID-19 lockdowns and other restrictions. While ongoing supply-chain problems add risk, we like their long-term prospects. BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. $56 is a buy. The company (New York symbol BAX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 503.6 million; Market cap: $28.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.baxter.com) makes a wide variety of medical devices, including intravenous pumps and kidney-dialysis equipment. In late 2021, Baxter acquired Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. for $10.5 billion. Hill-Rom makes a variety of medical care devices and products, including intensive-care unit beds, operating tables, patient monitoring equipment and electronic diagnostic systems. As a result of that purchase, Baxter’s sales in the second quarter of 2022 jumped 20.9%, to $3.75 billion from $3.10 billion a year earlier. If you exclude the impact of Hill-Rom and currency rates, sales rose 3%. If you disregard costs to…