Topic: How To Invest

Pat: I would like your opinion on Syneron Medical. Thanks a bunch!

Article Excerpt

Syneron Medical Ltd., $10.49, symbol ELOS on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 36.7 million; market cap: $385.0 million; www.syneron.com) makes medical devices for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, like hair removal, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening, as well as treating acne, leg veins and cellulite. It mainly sells its products under the Syneron and Candela brands. North America is Syneron’s biggest market, at 35% of revenue, followed by Europe (34%), the Asia-Pacific region (16%), Japan (10%), Israel (2%), and other countries (3%). In the three months ended December 31, 2013, Syneron’s revenue fell 11.7%, to $64.3 million from $72.8 million a year earlier. That’s mainly because the year-earlier quarter benefited from an unusually large order. As well, Syneron recently formed a joint venture with Unilever plc (symbol UL on New York), called Illumage Beauty, that will make cosmetic devices for consumers. The deal will let Syneron focus on professional users, while Unilever uses its marketing expertise and broad distribution networks to increase sales to consumers. Unilever owns…