ResMed’s a special situations buy for 2019

Article Excerpt

RESMED INC. $117 (New York symbol RMD; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 142.7 million; Market cap: $16.7 billion; Dividend yield: 1.3%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.resmed.com) designs, manufactures and distributes CPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) medical devices. They are used to treat patients with sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory conditions. Sleep apnea can put immense strain on the body. An immediate short-term effect is sleep deprivation, but over time that can result in low energy, irritability, memory loss, lack of concentration and depression. ResMed’s revenue jumped 50.5%, from $1.55 billion in 2014 to $2.34 billion in 2018 (fiscal years end June 30). The Americas region supplied 62% of the company’s 2018 revenue, while other markets, including Europe and Asia, contributed the remaining 38%. Devices contributed 56% of sales, while masks and accessories supplied 44%. Overall earnings rose 2.2%, from $345.3 million in 2014 to $352.9 million in 2015. Due to fewer shares outstanding, per-share earnings rose at a faster rate…