Since the beginning of the global economic crisis, medical device stocks have fared no better than the overall market with both down just over 40% since September 1 2008 on a market weighted basis. We continue to recommend that investors focus on companies providing life-sustaining products. These should remain insulated from the current economic crisis as target patients are unable to forego procedures. The recent slide in the market has left many strong companies looking very attractive. In the coming year, investors should allocate funds to companies with high earnings quality profiles. We recommend companies with the following characteristics: Size - (1) Larger companies will find it easier to survive any future liquidity issues and acquire new technologies at cents on the dollar Scope - (1) Companies providing life-sustaining products should remain insulated from the current[More...]

Seven trading days into 2009 the stock market has returned to the bad old ways of 2008. At least for investors on the long side. As we wait for earnings season to get into gear and see if our favorite stocks can buck the trend and show positive earnings[More...]

Some of the stocks from different sectors hit a fresh 52-week low on Monday after Wall Street stock trade higher on overall positive market sentiment.[More...]

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMI) is a Chinese semiconductor foundry company with multiple integrated chip wafer fabrication plants. SMI is the largest foundry company in China (third largest worldwide) and operates multiple plants and fabrication (fab) lines. Strategic alliances with Chartered, Toshiba, Infineon (IFX), Fujitsu, Motorola (MOT), Elpida and IMEC have provided access to intellectual property (IP) associated with a variety of semiconductor process technologies. We remain concerned regarding operational performance in the near-term given severe price declines in DRAM. The firm has announced they plan to exit the DRAM business. We[More...]