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Kinetic Concepts

Kinetic Concepts (KCI)

68.47
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(0.00%)
Closed March 27 04:00PM
68.47
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KCI News

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KCI Discussion

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frenchee frenchee 16 years ago
Good Afternoon Grant,

Looks like Kinetic has put in a short-term bottom. Today's move today, so far, is impressive...

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frenchee frenchee 16 years ago
Grant,

Technically, KCI showing signs the downward momentum is changing relative to the intermediate-term trend.

- Positive divergence between price trend and the trends of the Force Index/MFI/+DI. This suggests accumulation taking place.

- Downward momentum is starting to lessen. This can be seen on RSI, volume trend, -DI trend, Full Sto, and ChiOsc. Since "mo" changes before price, price should soon follow.

Will be a good buying opportunity like ARAY was a few weeks ago...

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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
jap1511... welcome... KCI is an undiscovered gem IMO

with a few rough edges that will hopefully be buffed up to make it look lovely to all of us owning it.

Lifecell looks like a step in the right direction to diversify its line...

and lessen any negative effects of other legal issues that it might not prevail in.

It would be nice not to have to SHARE the market in wound care... but it is a big important market, none the less.

I think KCI is a nice steady LT hold, and it looks like you might have timed yiour entry perfectly. congratulations...
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
Welcome aboard jap1511. Its been too quiet around here, especially for a company like KCI. They probably spent a little too much for Lifecell, but when the chips fall, and KCI gets into Asia AND Lifecell uses the KCI marketing arm, well, IMO, watch them move. Good one getting in on the dip.

Again, welcome aboard.

Tsurge
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jap1511 jap1511 16 years ago
Surprised to find a board for KCI on IHUB. Joined the party on the recent dip. Thanks for the contribution Grant.
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
Thanks... sounds like good things

are on the horizon for the future of these two joining forces.

Synergy is a beautiful thing when it goes as well, or better, than expected or hoped for!

This is looking like a very fine addition for KCI, and a good marketing expansion for LifeCell.

Thanks for keeping the info pipeline filled with good DD.
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
grantg2,

I updated the LIFECELL AND KCI board's iBoxes....

have been keeping my "ears to the ground" with my peeps and everything I hear is that it is a great deal all around. Especially for LifeCell mainly for the International distribution of LifeCell's products in Asia and Europe. Especially with LifeCell's new product Strattice.

Will fill in more as I find out more....

TSURGE
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
I am moderator of the Lifecell board, though VERY little action on it....minimal if any visits....

I have not updated the ibox on it with their new product Strattice (trademark)....

Will be glad to fill in on what I know and have learned in using it in my other job....as well as what I have learned from researching the products produced by Lifecell and other competitors...

TSURGE

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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
Looks very interesting...

let's hope it is synergistic and benefits both companies long term that they have joined forces.

I still am a bit concerned about the legal issues (still unsettled) facing KCI, but I feel that the company must move ahead with growing its business.

Guess I will be doing some homework on Lifecell trying to catch up on its past history.

GLTA...
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
Interesting isn't it....KCI announced that they are buying Lifecell....smart move by KCI...not necessarily a great move by Lifecell...Lifecell is a smaller company but extremely well run by P. Thomas. Has excellent scientific and research and marketing base. As long as they keep the process intact, it will be a smart move by both companies......!!!!
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
Kinetic Concepts 4Q profit rises
January 29, 2008 10:00 AM ET

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Medical technology company Kinetic Concepts Inc. said Tuesday fourth-quarter profit jumped 30 percent, matching Wall Street expectations, on higher equipment rental and sales revenue for wound healing devices.

The company earned $66.5 million, or 92 cents per share, compared with $51.3 million, or 73 cents per share, during the same period a year prior. Revenue rose 17 percent to $433.6 million, from $371.5 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected profit of 92 cents per share on revenue of $424.2 million.

For the full year, the company earned $237.1 million, or $3.31 per share, compared with $195.5 million, or $2.69 per share, in 2006. Revenue rose to $1.61 billion from $1.37 billion.

The company said the weak dollar added 4 percent to its revenue during the year.

Shares of Kinetic Concepts rose $1.40, or 2.9 percent, to $50.01 in morning trading. The stock has traded between $40.90 and $66.77 over the last 52 weeks.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Overall it was a good year for the company... except for the stock price performance... KCI is a solid company IMO.
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
KCI reorganizes and strengthens therapeutic surfaces business
February 14, 2008 12:49 PM ET

Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI) is refocusing its sales effort on its therapeutic surfaces business and has appointed Lynne Sly the global president.

Sly had previously been interim president of KCI's international operations.

As the head of the therapeutic surfaces business, which has been renamed Therapeutic Support Systems, she will lead a dedicated sales force in the United States that will focus solely on the company's therapeutic support systems that help manage pressure ulcers in patients as well as the sale of specialty hospital beds to patients who are either bariatric or have pulmonary complications.

Previously, KCI's sales team were responsible for selling both the company V.A.C. Therapy System and therapeutic surfaces. As a result, two sales teams will sell wound-care products like V.A.C. Therapy and the hospital beds and related overlays.

"The move to dedicated sales organizations in the U.S. market will benefit both businesses," KCI President and CEO Catherine Burzik says. "While our V.A.C. Therapy is clearly our leading growth business, Therapeutic Support Systems represents KCI's heritage."

Burzik says the new name also gives KCI the flexibility to add a broader range of products in this business in the future.

"In 2007, we saw very good top line growth in this business," says Sly. "During 2008, we will focus on improving profitability by focusing on new business opportunities globally in our wound care, bariatrics and critical care franchises while simultaneously driving operational efficiencies through our global manufacturing and service infrastructure."

San Antonio-based KCI (NYSE: KCI) is a global medical technology company.
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
It's been a rocky start for the new year... but here is a hopeful advisor...

http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/24/best-stocks-for-2008-kinetic-concepts-kci/

Best Stocks for 2008: Kinetic Concepts (KCI) advances wound care
Posted Dec 24th 2007 3:30PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Stocks to Buy, Best Stocks for 2008

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My top speculative idea for 2008 is Kinetic Concepts (NYSE: KCI), which makes products for advanced wound care and other therapeutic applications," says quantitative analyst Vahan Janjigian, editor of The Forbes Growth Investor.

"KCI's therapeutic categories include advanced products for wound care and tissue repair, which accounted for 79% of first half 2007 revenues.

"The company's proprietary Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) technology uses negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to treat and promote healing in acute and chronic wounds caused by severe trauma, failed surgical closures, amputations, and serious pressure ulcers.

"VAC systems consist of a pump that provides a controlled level of negative pressure to the wound, foam dressings, occlusive drapes and specialized canisters that collect body fluids, filter odors, and facilitate the safe disposal of medical waste.

"Its prone therapy systems are designed to alleviate pulmonary and post-cardiac-arrest complications associated with immobility. Bariatric care products are used to support obese patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds. These products include specialty beds and patient lift/transfer systems.

"KCI also makes therapeutic surfaces such as beds and overlays that help relieve pressure and/or provide pulsating therapy to patients suffering from pressure sores, burns, and post-operative skin grafts.

"The company's VAC systems provide clear benefits over competing wound care alternatives, such as traditional
gauze dressings. They reduce skin pressure and shear, help provide moisture control, facilitate blood and lymphatic flow to the skin, and require less changing.

"Largely due to these competitive advantages, demand has been rising. Annualized revenue growth has averaged
35% over the past four years. However, growth slowed in recent years due to increased penetration, competition, and lower reimbursement rates due to changes in Medicare Part B.

"Nonetheless,VAC revenue growth rates actually improved in each of the past four quarters. KCI's aggressive R&D spending should help it maintain a competitive edge. Investment efforts have also focused on exploring expansion of VAC technology to other applications, such as tissue engineering and regeneration.

"We believe KCI's prospects are extremely promising. In particular, there is plenty of opportunity for further growth in Asian markets, where the company currently has a minimal level of penetration."

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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
I agree, this info may be troubling. I know of a friend who just went to work for a rival company of KCI...(Smith and Nephew). He says they are working to improve their rival product for wounds to compete more readily with KCI's product.

I do realize that KCI's research and development department is strong and continues to work on new products.....also, it will be interesting to see if KCI buys or is bought, just like its rival, Blue Sky----not trying to initiate rumors, just IMO it is a possibility....

TSURGE
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
Great company with a lot of products

that benefit patients...

but the information in this post is troubling and will likely prove to be a stumbling block for a while until it is resolved.

I think long term KCI will survive/overcome this no matter the outcome... but it is still troubling none-the-less.

JMO...
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
I have added information from MedTech1.com website to the iBOX.

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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
FYI,

this is from Seeking Alpha....
I have experience with these products if anyone ever wants info from experienced user of wound therapy.....

Kinetic Concepts Likely to Lose Its Patents, and Its Value - Barron's

by SA Editor Eli Hoffmann




Despite technology that has revolutionized how hospitals treat chronic skin lesions, Barron's says Kinetic Concepts' (KCI) shares are dead money due to the likelihood of its inability to enforce its patents.
KCI produced $1.4 billion in revenue last year largely on the heels of its negative-pressure VACs that suction wounds, preventing bacteria from gathering, reducing swelling and promoting cell growth. Negative-pressure treatments are already used on 1/3 of chronic wounds in the U.S. and about 20% worldwide. KCI bills Medicare $1,700/month for each VAC system. With gross margins at near 50%, KCI's projected 2008 EPS of $3.30 means its shares trade at just 15x earnings, vs. 20x for similar companies, as investors fret the sustainability of its business.

Last year a federal judge ruled two rivals didn't infringe on its patents, subsequent to which British med-supply giant Smith & Nephew (SNN) bought one of them; it plans a Jan. 2008 launch of a VAC competitor. Another rival has produced a similar, cheaper product. It contends KCI's patents aren't valid due to pre-existing public-domain research, information which a previous head of KCI research has told courts the company was aware of. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has opened a re-examination into whether the Wake Forest patent bought by KCI should be invalidated as 'prior art.'

TSURGE
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
Grantg2

Yes, the problems with PCs. My wife has a Mac for her work and that is what I am using right now, until I get my computer back from Geeksquad (they are cleaning it up again). My next computer will truly be a Mac if I can swing it...

I do not know much, but I do know, from DD that their CEO is from like Johnson &Johnson and it is now starting to act like a Pharma though it is an equipment company. there has been speculation/rumor among the hospital staff and wound nurses that they are going to reorganize the sales and management forces, USA and International. In what way I do not know, but I do know I do not see as many reps at the hospital like I used to see, whatever that means! Could it mean they are combining their sales forces and streamlining them??? do not know. It could also mean they are just paring back...or that I have been too busy at work to see them. I do know when we set up the Rotoprone beds, they were very helpful and they do have a wonderful support group and delivery system for their Rotoprone.

I agree they are a good company with good products (I know because I use them, and use them a lot!!!). I am worried that like many medical companies, they may get caught up in the "Big Pharma" mentality....
I am also wondering if they are either getting ready to buy a company or getting ready to be bought up by one!!! why would their CEO be from Johnson and Johnson? just a guess and only IMO, but one I can't shake as a strong possibility!
Would Johnson and Johnson be interested in buying them??? I emphasize, this is only my speculation and fantasy...johnson and johnson has bought up many product companines in the past....

They have a strong R&D and just came out with an "Info- VAC" a vaccuum device that can measure store pics of wounds and download the info to a medical record or print it out....my only concern is if it is worth the additional cost...most of us take pics of complex wounds now and download them to our computers (the office ones with the elect medical record) and do not have to worry about a proprietary machine and coming back to a patients room to get the info...it may be more of a benefit for outpatient and nursing homes....I have not used it yet, so I can only speculate!

TSURGE



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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
np on the response lag, tsurge...

I would not be too surprised if I soon experience the same thing on my computer...

I have a software package that I need to load to prevent that... but so far I have not done it.

I truly hate PCs and all the gobbledy-gook necessary to add programs and keep things tuned up to the peak of performance!

I forced myself to do all that on numerous systems for all the years I was in field service following the years in the NAVY doing the same things.

My idea of a hobby is NOT keeping my computer tweaked and virus free... but there are so many cyber-sickos... probably in the same proportion to those who do not wash hands before exiting a bathroom/restroom. EEEEEEEuuuuuuuwwww! Gross, of course & sometimes spreading diseases.

I am quite puzzled by the KCI price performance... made a good run into the sixties and now having trouble being steady in the mid-50s.

I KNOW that the foreign sales should bolster their bottom line and that the products are good... so I am unsure of what the problem might be. Lack of awareness by investors might be one answer. I still like the long term prospects for KCI and do HOLD it in a retirement account.
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
grantg2,

sorry for the late response. I have had a virus, in my computer that is, and have not been able to get on ihub for a while.

though the rotoprone is not an iron lung, I agree it sure does look like it...
I actually used it on 2 patients this past two weeks with great results. I feel if used early and appropriately, it can work.

I hope you had a great T Day, and hope you are having a great holiday time.

thanks for inviting me to the board.

tsurge
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
tsurge...

Great new pics of some of the product line.

The one device reminds me of a less bleak version of the "iron lungs" of the polio era...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_lung

I am assuming it has more benefits than the clear-plastic-tube modern version of the iron lung shown at wiki site...

Thanks for helping put together a nice iBox for the board. Your
professional insights are a great asset.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday...

(and that goes for all who might drop by here in the next few days)

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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
grantg2,

Have added some things on the IBOX...let me know what you think...

TSURGE
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
grantg2
I agree with you...has global potential especially winning the lawsuit last year (in Europe) against Blue Sky (now with Smith and Nephew), currently its only wound competitor for "negative pressure therapy"...

if it gets its research and development going further with a strong growth factor supplement for wounds and/or has the potential to buy another company for expansion into other products, then I think it will go way higher....if it gets to 80s then it may go to 120s....

but perhaps you are right about shorting....even the "hedgers" love to short a company like this just to keep it down...

let me know if I can ever help with this board...

tsurge
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grantg2 grantg2 16 years ago
tsurge... I am greatly disappointed that

the PPS of KCI seems to stall and get pushed back every time it goes over 60.

I feel that earnings will overcome this eventually... there might be a good many shorting it above 60 just because it DOES seem unable to rise above 60 and hold it for very long.

It is a great company, and I plan to hold it a long, long time... I think of it as a GLOBAL GIANT as yet undiscovered by the typical investor.

JMO... but I like what my DD has turned up...
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tsurge tsurge 16 years ago
grantg2,

I agree with you...this is a great company with more than just the wound products....i.e. the rotoprone kinetic bed, and a great research and development program....

have used their products many times and they do help patients...the only thing they have needed is better organization and management (it seems they are acheiving it with new upper management...IMO).....
Let me know what you still think about this stock....

I almost started a KCI board myself last year...I am surprised more people don't get on board with it....

TSURGE

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grantg2 grantg2 17 years ago
disappointing that this stock has retreated

from highs and seems stuck in the high 50s...

it is a matter of time before it climbs higher, though...

still a great long term hold for the growth and gains to come.

Just not where you want to park "trading money!"

JMO...
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grantg2 grantg2 17 years ago
Kinetic Concepts has several things

going forward thru 2007 that should keep the growth of market share and the PPS on the rise.

International Expansion:

The beginning of clinical trials in Japan has commenced. Later in the year there are plans to aggressively enter the markets in China and India! Huge potential to grow in those markets... may not follow 25% compounded growth rate in US markets during the last 7 years... but entering those markets should provide years of growth to come.

New Products:

The new CEO has prioritized R & D expenditures to develop new foams for use wth the VAC product line... these foams would contain additive medications that expand the uses and improve the efficacy.

New FDA Approvals:

Recently the FDA approves KCI's ActiVAC and InfoVAC systems for in-home and acute care applications. The company continues to expand research into new applications demonstrating broader uses for the products in treating wounds.

Strategic Acquisitions:

Although there have been no details announced, management has been hinting that there are expansion plans being considered that would also grow KCI revenues.

The foundation for strong growth for years to come is being laid... as revenues and earnings increase, PPS will also continue to increase!

JMO...
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frenchee frenchee 17 years ago
Very nice gain this past year...

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grantg2 grantg2 17 years ago
I cannot believe this company had NO board on The RagingBS site nor on iHub until I creaded it yesterday!

We are talking about a $60+ stock with a fantastic wound care system that is just beginning to gain the recognition it deserves... this is the key to much future growth for KCI!

"The advanced wound care systems incorporate the V.A.C. Therapy technology."

VAC stands for vacuum-assisted closure... KCI has pioneered and patented this technology. It is not "brand new" since it was first introduced in 1995 and has been growing at a good rate since 2001... compound annual rate of 25%.

Briefly the process inserts a type of non-absorbent foam into the wound and covers it with a transparent adhesive membrane. Then after the wound is covered, air is vacuumed out creating a "negative pressure" which acts to close the wound.

This process removes fluid & infectious material as it pulls the wound edges inward (together). The technique is effective for a variety of wounds ranging from those common to bed-ridden patients, those with diabetic ulcers, burns, skin grafts, surgical incisions. The benefits are therapeutic and economic...
the VAC care regimen hastens healing, lessens scarring, prevents infection, reduces the need for amputations in diabetic ulcer patients, and it really does reduce treatment costs!

The system has been approved for use with wounded military personnel on Medevac flights... which often leads to improved technologies and techniques. Also we are at the beginning demographic shift to larger numbers of elderly people in the population who have wound care concerns that are oft times more critical than a younger populace. The number of diabetics is also rapidly increasing.

All of this is such remarkable good news... the company has been around for some time and just keeps getting more and more attractive... a true leader in building product lines and growing shareholder value.

Of course, this is JMO... but I did work in the medical community for about 30 years...
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