Cepheid (NASDAQ:CPHD)

Cepheid is an amazingly choppy stock considering they're a relatively boring medical diagnostics company that has been growing revenues fairly steadily over the last few years via placement of their GeneXpert systems. Neverthless, inaccurate predictions and sudden changes in outlook by analysts have turned the stock into a wildly swinging pendulum. The only thing that seems predictable is that today's momentum will have reversed by next week.

After rocketing from 35 to 45 in June on an unclear basis, the stock has now rapidly retraced on concerns that the company has lowered their profit outlook. However, the 2012 revenue guidance remains unchanged. Top line trumps bottom line for a company in a rapid growth stage like Cepheid, at least in the short-term. My unfamiliarity with the business prevents me from juicing this pick with real money, but I'd be surprised if the stock isn't back over 40 by the end of the quarter.

Co announces it has received clearance from the FDA to market Xpert Flu. The diagnostic test, which runs on Cepheid's GeneXpert System, simultaneously detects and differentiates Influenza A, Influenza B, and the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in about one hour. Xpert Flu is Cepheid's 11th Xpert test to receive FDA clearance, and will be available for shipment in two weeks. Xpert Flu is also available as a CE IVD Mark product under the European Directive on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices.

This company is on a roll, successfully rolling out new tests and winning regulatory approvals. They have a strong ongoing revenue stream and look poised for strong long-term growth if they aren't acquired first.

projected earnings 12mo

Will return to glory by Q1 09 imo.

Genetic analysis for diagnostic, industrial and biothreat markets. Picked up from Penny after 30% drop on earnings report. Slowdown in biothreat business leading drop but core staph test is solid and stock should come back now that it's out ot such high prices.

This stock just seems to keep on going. I wish I had kept the several thousand shares I purchased at $5 each 5 years ago. I'd be sitting on a tropical beach somewhere with a Margeurita in my hand.

This company sells a near-real time Staph tester which can be a life saver in this new era of superbugs. Their tech displaces tests that take 24 to 48 hours to provide results. Thanks to bigredchet for bringing this one to my attention.

Demand can only increase for their user-friendly and ultrafast bacterial tests.

cphd, vmw, nflx, v, vlcm, goog, aapl

From my short ideas/valuation screen

Unless someone else comes in with highly responsive genetic analysis systems that perform better, then these folks have a lot of incredible growing to do. The industry will do quite well. Only the insurance industry could hold them and the industry back by not paying for the tests.

This one looks good and steady.

Harvested a positive gain yesterday and reloading at a better cost basis. Here is my original pitch:

This was my best performing stock in my personal portfolio in 2007, delivering a double(+) in the 8 or 9 months I owned it. I'm still holding it there, so may as well put it in CAPS too.

MRSA is a nasty problem which will only continue to gain more attention. The obvious approach in a hospital is to identify it quickly before it spreads to others, because it is damned costly and time consuming to treat. CPHD is the solution that does that.

MRSA testing in hospitals leads to significant growth

They are a growing ferm with some good looking

prospects larger companys are interested in.

I feel the market could drag it down some

makeing it a good entry point.

The future is here now.

a solid company with products coming to market that have little to no competition, but pressing demand and need((rapid HPV staph infection testing . a must buy

Staph infection diagnostics great long or speculative aqcuisition/buy out by other diagnostic companies

CPHD reporting 3rd quarter earning today (11-1-07). Total revenues up 53% compared to 3rd quarter 2006 due mainly to their new "GeneXpert(R) System" which provides rapid detection of Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA has had a lot of press recently and this rapid testing is a need in hospitals and medical facilities to detect drug-resistant organisms for quick treatment. I listened to their webcast of their earnings this pm and they are really increasing the number of sales of this system. This one will go higher and I would not be surprised to hear news that this company would be an M&A target. This one will go higher.