Growth, solid fundamentals

stable

4

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, a world leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease, announced recently that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program to acquire up to $250 million of the company's outstanding common shares. Edwards recently completed a $250 million share repurchase program that its board of directors approved in September 2007.

The company also raised its full-year profit outlook Tuesday after it reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results.

The company boosted full-year guidance by 5 cents per share to between $2.50 and $2.58 per share, while tightening its revenue outlook by $25 million to between $1.24 billion and $1.28 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect profit of $2.50 per share on revenue of $1.23 billion.

In the third quarter, the company expects profit between 53 cents and 57 cents per share, while analysts forecast 56 cents per share.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) was upgraded from Sell to Hold, Citigroup said. $50 price target. SAPIEN has a positive launch in Europe and the company boosted earnings guidance.

Edwards Lifesciences recently announced a $250 million dollar buyback.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides various products and technologies designed to treat cardiovascular diseases.

The stock trades for 12x cash flow.

inherited

Downgraded by Citigroup from Hold to Sell

Upgraded by Needham & Co from Hold to Buy

Downgraded by Piper Jaffray from Outperform to Market Perform