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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: PRA Health Sciences, Mesa Laboratories, ConforMIS, Check-Cap and Streamline Health Solutions

Zacks Equity Research
Updated
Is (WM) Outperforming Other Business Services Stocks This Year?

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 06, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include PRA Health Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:PRAH – Free Report), Mesa Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq:MLAB – Free Report), ConforMIS Inc. (Nasdaq:CFMS – Free Report), Check-Cap Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHEK – Free Report) and Streamline Health Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:STRM – Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

5 MedTech Stocks to Buy Before Q3 Earnings

Despite political fireworks in Washington, DC at present, the MedTech industry has so far witnessed a positive run in 2017. The space received a breather with the failure of the highly contentious Graham-Cassidy bill. Our apprehension remains constant owing to the fact that Medical technology firms are struggling with higher tax and anti-inversion bottlenecks are simultaneously stressed by stronger dollars, pricing and shipping-related issues as well as core market challenges.

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Given such volatile economic conditions, it is only natural that investors will feel intimidated with regard to the investment scenario. Increased volatility on the back of a significant increase in the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) indicates bearish market prospects.

Impressive Prospects Ahead

According to a survey by EvaluateMedTech World Preview, the MedTech space is positioned for impressive growth in the near term. This should naturally compel investors to keep an eye out on the sector that is generally not in the limelight. At a glance, Medtech sales are expected to reach $522 billion at a CAGR of 5.1% by 2022, worldwide.

The Q3 earnings season is just around the corner and is likely to be in full swing in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how the MedTech space performs amid such a mixed scenario.

How to Make a Choice?

With a wide number of stocks in the MedTech sector that often hamper stock-picking prowess, the Zacks methodology could offer some relief. One can narrow down choices by focusing on stocks that sport the desirable combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology to determine stocks which have the best chance to surprise in their next earnings announcement. It shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Our research shows that 70% of stocks with this combination have the chance of a positive earnings surprise. An earnings beat boosts investor’s confidence in the stock, which is reflected in its rapid price appreciation. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they report with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Stocks Worth Investing

Below we discuss five MedTech stocks that are worth investing in before the earnings season comes in full force.

PRA Health Sciences Inc.(Nasdaq:PRAH – Free Report)

PRA Health Sciences is a leading global contract research organization. The company provides outsourced clinical development services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. PRA’s global clinical development platform includes approximately 70 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Year to date, the stock with 43.4% return has outperformed the S&P 500’s paltry return of 13.1%.

The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has an Earnings ESP of +3.30% for the third quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 4 cents to 84 cents in the last four weeks.

Mesa Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq:MLAB – Free Report)

Mesa Laboratories is a global technology company focused in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, industrial safety, environmental and food & beverage industries. The company operates through four divisions: Biological Indicators, Instruments, Cold Chain Monitoring and Cold Chain Packaging. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.83% for the quarter. Its earnings estimates have been raised 2 cents in the last four weeks. Year to date, the stock with 26.2% return has outperformed the S&P 500’s return of 13.1%.

ConforMIS Inc.(Nasdaq:CFMS – Free Report)

ConforMIS is a medical technology company that uses proprietary iFit Image-to-Implant technology platform to develop, manufacture and sell joint-replacement implants. The implants are customized to suit each patient’s unique anatomy. ConforMIS has a Zacks Rank #2 and an earnings ESP of +5.23%. Its Zacks Consensus Estimate has improved 4 cents to a loss of 31 cents in the last three months.

Check-Cap Ltd.(Nasdaq:CHEK – Free Report)

Check-Cap is a clinical-stage medical diagnostics company developing C-Scan. It is a capsule-based system for preparation-free colorectal cancer screening. Utilizing ultra-low dose X-ray and wireless communication technologies, the capsule generates information on the contours of the inside of the colon as it passes naturally. Check-Cap's third-quarter prospects look bright as it boasts an earnings ESP of +7.14% combined with a Zacks Rank #2. Its earnings estimates have improved by 2 cents in the last four weeks.

Streamline Health Solutions Inc.(Nasdaq:STRM – Free Report)

Streamline Health Solutions is a healthcare company engaged in capturing, aggregating and translating enterprise data that support revenue cycle optimization. It delivers integrated solutions, technology-enabled services and analytics for healthcare enterprises.

Streamline Health has a Zacks Rank #2 and an earnings ESP of +5.23%. Its Zacks Consensus Estimate has narrowed 2 cents to a loss of six cents in the past four weeks. Year to date, the stock with 115.2% return has outperformed the S&P 500’s return of 13.1%.

Can Hackers Put Money INTO Your Portfolio?

Earlier this month, credit bureau Equifax announced a massive data breach affecting 2 out of every 3 Americans. The cybersecurity industry is expanding quickly in response to this and similar events. But some stocks are better investments than others.

Zacks has just released Cybersecurity! An Investor’s Guide to help Zacks.com readers make the most of the $170 billion per year investment opportunity created by hackers and other threats. It reveals 4 stocks worth looking into right away.

Download the new report now>>

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1 Stock of the Day pick for free.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


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Streamline Health Solutions, Inc. (STRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (MLAB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ConforMIS, Inc. (CFMS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Check-Cap Ltd. (CHEK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
PRA Health Sciences, Inc. (PRAH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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