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Penumbra (PEN) Q3 Loss Narrower than Expected, Sales Top

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Penumbra, Inc. (PEN - Free Report) , that went public in Sep 2015, reported third-quarter 2016 loss per share of 4 cents, way narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 11 cents.

Revenues in Details

Revenues in the reported quarter surged 33.3% year over year (up 32.5% at constant exchange rate or CER) to $67.2 million, steering past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $63 million.

On a geographic basis, revenues in the U.S. (representing 66.1% of total sales) grossed $44.3 million,up 25.4% from the year-ago quarter figure, while International sales (33.9% of total sales) jumped 51.8% year over year (up 49.3% at CER) to $22.8 million.

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Going by product category, revenues from neuro products grew 30.9% (or up 29.9% at CER) to $47.5 million in the third quarter of 2016. Revenues from peripheral vascular product business rose to $19.6 million in the third quarter, reflecting an increase of 39.3% (or up 39.4% at CER) year over year.

While neuro sales were driven by strong growth in the ischemic stroke market, additional growth has been experienced from the broader portfolio of neuro embolization and Access. Penumbra also saw growth related to the launch of the SMART Coil in Japan, which began last quarter with its distributor partner.

Operational Update

Penumbra’s third-quarter gross margin was 63.8%, reflecting a 263 basis points (bps) contraction year over year, on account of a 27.9% drag in gross profit. According to the company, gross margin is expected to remain under pressure in the next few quarters on account of new product launches.

Research and development expenses totaled $6.4 million, up 42.4%, while sales, general and administrative expenses amounted to $37.7 million, up 41.1% year over year. Both the increases were primarily driven by a rise in personnel-related expenses, resulting from increased headcount to support continued investment in products, as well as increases in product development, testing and trial expenses.

Loss from operations came in at $1.3 million, a huge decline from the operating income of $2.1 million in the prior-year quarter. The company’s operating margin declined 2%, reflecting a huge contraction of 636 bps.

Financial Update

Penumbra exited third-quarter 2016 with cash and cash equivalents of $15.8 million compared with $13.9 million at the end of the preceding quarter.

Outlook

Penumbra provided an update to its full-year revenue guidance. Earlier, during the last quarter’s earnings call, the company projected 2016 revenues in the band of $250–$255 million. Management currently expects to end the year at the high end or slightly above the high end of that range.

Our Take

Penumbra’s third-quarter 2016 performance was strong, with the company reporting impressive top and bottom-line results, both beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. In the quarter under review, the company witnessed strong growth across all its geographies and product line. However, escalating costs and expenses exerted pressure on margins.

Penumbra is an active player in the fast-growing interventional therapies space. In fact, the company’s products primarily cater to the unmet clinical needs across two major markets – neuro and peripheral vascular.

Rising demand for treatment options in the heart diseases market reflects the high-growth potential in this niche. Attractive growth opportunities exist for Penumbra in the ischemic stroke market as well as in the more established markets like hemorrhagic stroke and peripheral vascular. Accordingly, Penumbra’s strategy is to focus on product development and innovation which raises investors’ confidence in the stock.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Penumbra currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked medical stocks are GW Pharmaceuticals plc , Baxter International Inc. (BAX - Free Report) and Bovie Medical Corporation . All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

GW Pharmaceuticals surged 61% year to date compared to the S&P 500’s 2.2% over the same period. The company has a four-quarter average positive earnings surprise of 41.6%

Baxter international rallied 24.9% in the past one year, comparing favorably with the S&P 500’s -0.5%. It has a trailing four-quarter average positive earnings surprise of 27%.

Bovie Medical recorded 165.3% gain in the past one year, above the S&P 500’s 2.4%. The company has a trailing four-quarter average positive earnings surprise of 28.7%.

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